Freedom High School's girls swim team took first place in all three relays, leading the Patriots to a 113-70 victory over Allentown Central Catholic on Dec. 23.

Helen Hsu, Reilly Ward, Carly DelFranco, and Shannon Howell opened the meet at Freedom with a 1:59.93 victory in the 200 medley relay.

Later in the day, Howell, Rachel Giles, DelFranco, and Ward won the 200 free relay in 1:48.26, and Caitlin McCadden, Linda Mao, Giles, and Rileigh Ellis ended the day with a 4:21.17 victory in the 400 free relay.

Individual event winners for the Patriots were Hsu in the 200 free in 2:00.78 and the 500 free in 5:20.58, DelFranco in the 200 IM in 2:20.66 and the 100 free in 59.04, Howell in the 50 free in 25.62, and the 100 butterfly in 1:06.45.

In spite of a small girls' roster, Freedom captain, Caitlin McCadden, said, "Our coach trained us to not think win or lose. It's how you swim the meet."

The Patriots lost only one senior to graduation, but gained a few freshmen. This year's relatively large, not to mention, strong senior class will be an asset at districts.

"If we reach our goals and swim our best times, we'll be happy with that," said McCadden. "During Christmas training, we're here twice a day doing hard practices because then we have time to recoup at home. Most of us are used to it now. We're here on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. For the new kids, it's hard to get used to."

McCadden and Hsu are this year's girls' team captains, and in the absence of a female coach, their support will be significant throughout the season.

"We make sure everyone uses proper etiquette at meets and that they show good sportsmanship. I've wanted to be captain since freshman year," said McCadden, who looked up to Freedom 2013 graduate, Molly Magnan, who took McCadden under her wing.

Freedom's next swim meet is scheduled for Jan. 8, at Freedom against Easton.