Swampscott Athletes Collar Medals and Experience at Bays

Swampscott athletes have medaled in sports including badminton, lacrosse and wrestling at the Bay State Games.

Medal or no medal. all the athletes have gotten a chance to compete against some of the most skilled players in their respective sports.

The Games host competitions in 27 sports.

First, though, athletes had to qualify for the Games, and then try-out for a regional team.

Preliminary competitions started in the spring. Finals started July 5 and end for al all sports July 25.

One of the lesser known sports at the tournament was badminton, a much faster and more competitive variety than the backyard game, said Shurik Zavriyev, 14.

Zavriyev has been wielding a badminton racket since the age of 5. He and his partner advanced to the semifinals in the Bay State Games, held at UMass-Boston, where they were knocked out of the competition.

Zavriyev was just happy badminton was part of the Bays, giving the game some recognition.

Nick Meninno, a Swampscott High senior who plays on the baseball team, played outfield for his team at the Bay States.

The competition opened his eyes to what college baseball must be like, he said.

"The level was like nothing I've been part of," Meninno said.

Patrick Kennedy, a Swampscott High lacrosse player in his senior year, also said the competition was tougher at the Games.

Athletes were faster and stronger.

Kennedy's team was fast and strong itself, going 5-0 and winning the gold medal on Sunday.

He tallied a goal and an assist in the 9-4 win.

Jake Powell, 16, a Swampscott wrestler, came in third place in the 112-pound weight class.

His teammate on the combined Swampscott/Marblehead High wrestling team, Sean Taylor, 18, took fourth place in the 285-pound weight class.

Powell wrestled for the Graybird Wrestling Club of Boston University, and defeated Greg Gomperts of the Dungeon Wrestling Club 8-5 in the match that decided third and fourth place finishers. Powell was 4-1 at the tournament. matches were held at the UnMass-Boston Clark Athletic Center July 8 and 9.

Taylor also wrestled for the Graybird Wrestling Club, earning a fourth place medal with a 3-2 record over the two-day tournament. 

Other Swampscott athletes who competed at the games included John King, in basketball, and Natalia Rodriguez, 12, in badminton.

Louise Wing, 92, is competing as a solo performer in synchronized swimming.