Hopkinton High School’s swimming teams were a bit young this season, with more than a dozen freshmen on the rosters. But coach Blake Briner said it didn’t seem to matter whether an athlete was a veteran or a rookie, a top point scorer or someone still learning the sport. Everyone got along and enjoyed their experience.

“This year, it felt like there was a place for everyone on the team,” Briner said. “Everyone had a friend group and people they talked to. There were seniors hanging out with freshmen and freshmen hanging out with everyone.”

The chemistry has Briner thinking that most of the swimmers who are eligible to return next winter will do just that.

“I don’t see a lot of kids leaving,” he said. “They are definitely a rowdy bunch. There were a lot of loud bus rides, and they are a close team.”

The Hillers capped off their season by sending representatives to both the boys and girls Division 1 state meet. On the girls side, Anna Burke peaked at the right time in the 100-yard backstroke. After taking two seconds off of her time at districts, she lowered her personal best by nearly another two seconds at the state meet and leapfrogged several competitors for a sixth-place finish.

“That’s my goal for everyone: have them peak at the end of the season,” Briner said, adding that Burke was able to put together her backstroke performance quickly after anchoring Hopkinton’s 200-yard freestyle relay team in the event right before.

“It’s a quick turnaround, but she has gotten a lot better with her technique and consistency,” Briner said. “And who doesn’t love a big race?”

Burke joined the trio of Maeve Hanscom, Oneli Weeraratne, and Padmashree Malladi in the relay event and helped the team place 15th overall, giving Hopkinton 17 total points for the meet.

“They all did great,” Briner said. “They laid down their best time in the relay.”

The boys’ lone representative at the state level this season was Owen Picard, who qualified in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races. It was a great bounce-back performance for Picard, who missed last season with a leg injury.

“He was excited to come back and swim and get back in the pool,” Briner said. “He is one of those swimmers who loves racing people.”

But the season will be remembered as much for the camaraderie as for the championship performances. From hanging out together outside of the pool to numerous inside jokes, Briner said his group genuinely liked being around one another this winter.

“They had a lot of fun this year,” he said.