MassLive released its boys swimming Super 7 for the 2025-2026 season.
After an extremely competitive season in the pool last year, and with some of the top-rated athletes now graduated, things are expected to look different for many boys swimming teams across Western Mass.
However, there’s still plenty of talent returning, including this year’s Super 7 athletes, featuring swimmers from the Minuteman and Patriot leagues.
Jeffery Carlone, senior, East Longmeadow
The Spartans enter this season with six upperclassmen on their team, led by many veteran talents, including Carlone.
As a junior, Carlone had three top-10 placements, with two in individual races, at the MIAA sectionals.
In the Division II states, Carlone earned 13th in all events he competed in, including the 200-yard medley relay as the leadoff, plus personal-bests in the 100-yard backstroke (57.20) and 200-yard IM (2:07.32).
During the regular season, Carlone claimed over 20 first place finishes, and should fall back into the role as a top swimmer for East Longmeadow in his upcoming senior year.
Daniel Casey, senior, West Springfield
The Terriers finished 10-1 last year, led by the team’s best performer in Alex Morales. However, Morales has since graduated, leaving the door open for Casey to take over that role in his senior year.
Last season, Casey snagged 15 first place finishes against Western Mass. opponents in both relay and individual events. One of his top performances came during the MIAA sectionals where he placed eighth in the 500-yard freestyle with a personal best of 5:24.73.
As Casey has continued to display growth throughout his high school career, his senior year is set up to be one of his best seasons yet.
Ethan Halpern, senior, Longmeadow
Halpern excelled across individual and relay events during his junior year for the Lancers.
In the Division II state championships, Halpern placed fifth with personal bests in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.80) and the 200-yard IM (1:59.59). For the MIAA sectionals, he earned the silver in both those races as well.
Halpern was also part of the group that broke a 15-year-old Longmeadow record in the 200-yard relay. But, other than Halpern, the three other relay swimmers have since graduated, leaving a major hole to fill on this Lancers squad.
This season, Halpern is primed to take a major step up for the Lancers and further his personal and overall team successes at both the regular and postseason levels.
James Zlogar, junior, Belchertown
The Orioles went unbeaten in the regular season, finishing 7-0, and placed third overall in the MIAA sectional, all in credit to the many talented swimmers for Belchertown.
This coming season, they retained much of that talent, including Zlogar.
Last season, he captured double-digit first place finishes in the regular season. He also placed fourth in two individual events in the MIAA sectionals, as well as eighth and 12th in Division II states. Zlogar was also a key part of the Orioles two relay teams that earned silver medals in the sectionals, and fifth in states.
Headed into his junior year, Zlogar should resume his place on the relay team, and utilize his versatility and speed in the pool to help Belchertown remain a top contender in the region.
Sebastian Medina, junior, Springfield Central
In his sophomore season, Medina secured over 30 first place finishes in last year’s regular season, the most on the Golden Eagles.
While competing in 10 different events throughout his sophomore year, Medina specialized in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard freestyle.
At the championship level, he placed seventh and tenth, respectively, in the MIAA sectionals. In the Division I states, Medina’s top performance in the 100-yard backstroke earned him 15th place with a personal best of 57.30.
For his upcoming junior season, Medina was named a first-year captain and will take on a new role, both in and out of the pool, for Central.
Adam Riley, junior, Ludlow
As only a sophomore, Riley has been a podium finisher in the sectional championships and has qualified for the Division II states, which included his top-performances to date in last year’s races.
The distance swimmer claimed ninth place after a season-best, 5:05.29, in the 500-yard freestyle, as well as 16th for the 200-yard freestyle after a personal-best, 1:51.76.
In the MIAA sectionals, Riley finished top-five in all four events he competed in. Of the individual distance events, he snagged fourth in the 500-yard free and fifth in the 200-yard IM.
For his junior season, Riley will aim to help the Lions compete against a competitive Patriot league and pave his way back to postseason action.
Collin Purcell, junior, Minnechaug
Purcell has made himself into one of the top divers across the state, and a must-watch athlete in his event.
He is a two-time NISCA boys one-meter diving All-American, given in credit to both his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Paired with the accolade, the junior has outperformed the competition in both states and regional championships since competing at the high school level. In Division II states last season, he earned a gold medal with a score of 522.05 through 11 dives, 35 more points than second place. Purcell also claimed first place in the MIAA West/Central sectionals with 594.25 points.
Purcell has yet to falter from his top place in the one-meter dive and headed into his junior year, all eyes will be back on the All-American diver to see what he can achieve in 2025-26.
