Turners Falls swimming starts season on high note under new coach Abby Heathwaite

Turners Falls’ Liam Bliss swims backstroke in the medley relay against Ludlow in Montague last year. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

Turners Falls’ Sylvie DiBartolomeo swims butterfly in the medley relay against Ludlow in Montague last year. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL Franz

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New Turners Falls High School swimming coach Abby Heathwaite has hit the ground running. 

It was a unique situation for the first year coach as Heathwaite graduated from Coastal Carolina University this past weekend, meaning she wasn’t able to be in attendance for the preseason or the Thunder’s first meet of the season against Monson last week. 

That didn’t stop her from making sure Turners would be ready to go to start the campaign. Heathwaite — who assisted the Thunder when she was home for winter break last year — sent her coaches training plans to follow, which helped both the boys and girls teams secure a victory over the Mustangs. 

When Heathwaite officially joined the team on Sunday, she got to see the progress her swimmers were already making, which was evidenced by Turners’ victory sweep over Chicopee on Monday. 

“I have Liz Tyler helping me and Fred Bliss is an amazing assistant,” Heathwaite said. “They all had my back coming back. I was doing the meet sheets and practice plans before I came home so the team was used to my practices and what I expected out of them. They’re all great listeners and have done exactly what I wanted. It’s a great team.” 

The Thunder squad continues to grow each year. Now a co-op with Greenfield, Franklin Tech and Frontier, Turners Falls has gone from having under 20 swimmers last year to 36 this winter. 

Those growing numbers have allowed the Thunder to build depth in their lineup, something they haven’t been able to do in the past. 

“We almost doubled in size from where we were last year,” Heathwaite said. “It’s crazy how much we have gained. All of them are so excited to be there and everyone is giving it their all.” 

As you’d imagine with a team that size, there’s a variety of different skill levels on the roster. With swimmers ranging from seniors to sixth graders, Heathwaite said every play has specific, realistic goals for where they are currently at, and the team is hoping to accomplish those goals by the end of the season.

“We have kids trying to qualify for states, some are trying to qualify for the Last Chance meet, some are trying to qualify for Western Mass.,” Heathwaite said. “Some kids are just trying to finish a 50 [yard freestyle]. I want to be able to accommodate everyone’s goals and assist them in achieving them.”

So far, so good. 

Heathwaite said she’s already seen swimmers cut down on their times from the first meet to the second meet while newer swimmers have been able to complete different races, which wasn’t the case to start the season. 

As for the experienced swimmers, the Thunder have plenty who have their eyes set on qualifying for the larger end-of-season meets. 

Sylvie DiBartolomeo, Avery Heathwaite and Liam Bliss are Turners’ captains this winter and are showing to be great leaders. Alice Fortin, Ava Fortin, Lilian Walker-Hanning, Jade Walker-Hanning, Matt Sibley, Tyler Galenski, Tristan Bliss, Malcolm Tyler and William Tyler are some of the fellow returners who have impressed early in the season, though Abby Heathwaite noted that others could emerge and compete for spots at end of season meets. 

“We have a lot of strong swimmers,” Abby Heathwaite said. “Everyone is playing a crucial role. You have to keep an eye on everyone. Someone who might not be our best swimmer now could improve and be one by the end of the season. Everyone matters and since we have a big team, we can fill the lanes and rack up points in meets. We’re giving every kid an opportunity in the water.” 

Heathwaite said her biggest hope is to make sure the swimmers enjoy the season, giving everyone a great experience in hopes they stick with the sport. 

“We’ve had super hard practices but have gotten no complaints,” Abby Heathwaite said. “They’re having fun no matter their skill set. There were sports I played where either the coach was ruining it or the team was ruining the experience. This team is always on the same page and always supporting each other. My biggest rule is that they can’t sit at meets. I want them standing up and cheering someone on. I don’t care if you swam the best race of your life or the worst, having people on the side of the pool giving support is what you remember when you’re racing.” 

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