This was the boys 400 free relay that won and clenched the title. This is the last event and going into it we were .5 points behind ELP and these boys went out there and took 1st in this relay which gave us the point to take the title. Left to right: Ryan Vigue/Stephen Ranger/Jacob Ducey/Owen Kasper Courtesy photo/Morgan Royle
The Town Council recognized the Scarborough High School Boys Swim Team’s hours of preparations in winning the 2024 State of Maine Class A Championship — the team has come up on top for the third year in a row — March 6. Council members passed a resolution recognizing the team and highlighting the 400 yard-freestyle relay team of Stephen Ranger, Jacob Ducey, Ryan Vigue and Owen Kasper win to move Scarborough as the overall state champions.
Coach Morgan Royle described the journey leading up to the victory, noting the team’s readiness to work despite uncertainties at the beginning of the season.
“The boys team this year had strength and speed across the board and worked hard at practices and meets,” she said. “When it came time for states and they realized we were still in a position to keep our title it lit a fire under them,”
Royle said the team went into that meet determined to fight to the very last event and that was exactly what they did. “One thing about this team is that when faced with a challenge they don’t know how to do anything but fight and they were not leaving that meet without the win.”
“Winning states three years in a row is truly an amazing accomplishment,” team captain Owen Kasper, a senior, said. “I’m so proud of the way our team came together in the end and really assembled. At the beginning of the season I was very doubtful that we would be able to pull first off again. But we did thanks to the drive and push within our swimmers.”
Royle said the boys knew that they lost a lot of speed with the seniors that left last year but they also knew they still had depth and strong swimmers. “Each year the team has a different dynamic and as a coach you learn to see what is going to drive and motivate them because it’s not always the same. This year these swimmers were sick a lot and seemed tired often so I knew we had to find a way to make them dig deep.”
The key factors contributing to the team’s success, according to Royle, included the team’s strength and speed across the board, coupled with determination and a fighting spirit during the championship meet.
Fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie was also essential, she said. “The biggest thing myself and my assistant Coach Sam Mugford try to foster with this team is sportsmanship above all,” Royle said. “We are a team but we are also a family and these swimmers have each others’ backs in and out of the pool.”
Kasper said, “Personally I found motivation within my teammates. Looking into their eyes you could see just how bad each of them wanted this. So every time one of us dove off those blocks it wasn’t for themself, but it was for each other.”
The other team captain, Ryan Vigue, a senior, said, “I felt ecstatic about winning for my third year in a row. Being able to do this is something really special because I have memories that will last forever. My biggest motivation going into this season was knowing we could win the championship for the third year in a row. Another thing that helped drive us was our coaches and their tough workouts but I think in the end it paid off.”
Individual performances also played a crucial role in the team’s success, Royle said, and noted that Kasper Vigue, along with junior Jacob Ducey, delivered standout performances during the championship meet.
“Picking one moment from this season is simply impossible,” Kasper said. “Going in behind and watching the boys really fight for it was amazing and so heart felt. After touching the wall in the 400 free relay I saw my teammates faces light up and our coaches jumping in the air. Just seeing everyone’s hard work pay off was truly incredible.”
“My favorite memory this season was standing on the podium at Bowdoin college and raising the state trophy with the boys team,” Vigue said. “This especially solidified in my mind that we really did win for third year in a row. I will cherish this memory and the ones I have made from previous seasons for the rest of my life.
“With my swimmers and parents, I always make it clear that I expect commitment to the swim team but family and academics come first,” Royle said.
Looking ahead, Royle said she plans to build upon the team’s success and maintain momentum for future seasons.
“We will do the same as we do every season,” she said, “we build off what we have and everyone works hard to become the best team we can be. Coming off our third State Championship win, these boys will be ready to do whatever it takes to defend their title.”
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