The Newton Bluefish claimed first place in the Summer Suburban Swim League championships at the renovated Gath Pool on Sunday, closing out the summer swim season with a dominant performance.
It was a homecoming of sorts for the meet, which was traditionally held in Newton until 2019. Welcoming swimmers and coaches from 10 local communities back to the Gath was a special moment for Bluefish head coach Mary Pohlman.
“We have the best pool in the league, and our team really just goes above and beyond,” she said. “We’re very thankful to the Mayor, to John Rice, to Mark Welch, to Sean Nickerson, and everyone else who made this happen. It’s been a year in the works to get it back in Newton and we are very thrilled to have this event back.”
The hot, sunny day proved to be ideal conditions for breaking league records—10 of which were snapped by the competition’s end. Swimming in the boys age 11-12 division, Newton’s Declan Furlong set new league records in the 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke. He was also part of a record-breaking 200-yard medley relay.
Not to be outdone, Newton’s Matthew Spalding, competing in the boys 15-18 division, broke league records in the 50-yard butterfly and the 50-yard freestyle, and was one leg of a foursome that set a new record in the 200-yard freestyle relay, besting a time that had stood for 20 years.
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Mary and Scott Pohlman hold the first place trophy, accompanied by coaches in the Bluefish program. Mary described the event as “awesome,” especially for the 11 seniors in the program. “A lot of them have been swimming [with us] for 10, 12, 13 years,” she said. “We’ve only lost the champs once since they have been on the team, in 2019. So it was very sweet to have it back here and let them finish their season, and their senior year, at their home pool.”
(c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
After hoisting the championship trophy, members of the Newton Bluefish cool off with a celebratory dip in the Gath Pool. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Newton’s Jacqueline Freeman brought out her vintage “Go Bluefish” banner for the occasion. “I’m thrilled to have it out this year because we are back in Newton,” she said. “The spirit of the championships are better here because everyone can watch all the events. You can sense how excited everyone is. It’s what the championships are meant to be.” (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Declan Furlong, 12, set three league records at the meet: in the 100-yard medley, the 50-yard freestyle, and the 50-yard backstroke. The secret to his success? “Keeping your head down. Perseverance. Having everyone cheering you on is the best feeling.” (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Last held at the Gath Pool in 2019, the competition brought together swimmers from 10 teams from south and west of Boston. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Bluefish swimmers Tess Annapolle, Gisele Frabizio and Ava Martino pass the time in between races by playing cards in the shade. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Newton Bluefish swimmers and coaches celebrate after capturing 1st place in the Summer Suburban Swim League Championships. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Spectators watch the competition from the shade of the Gath Pool’s covered deck. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Calla Pohlman, granddaughter of Bluefish head coaches Scott and Mary Pohlman, dives into the water. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon
Young swimmers dive into the Gath Pool during the Summer Suburban Swim League Championships in Newton on August 8, 2026. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon