13 MetroWest and Milford swimmers and divers to watch at the sectional championships

We've reached the end of the preamble.

Sectional championships begin this weekend with swimming and diving. It's a chance for athletes to prove they're the best around. Swimming and diving state meet qualification is based on time or scoring standards rather than placing like wrestling or track & field.

The meets are divided between the North and South sectionals at WPI and Central/West at Springfield College.

Here are 13 MetroWest and Milford athletes to keep an eye on this weekend:

When and where?: Check out the 2024 MIAA winter state championships schedule

HARIKA BIRALI, Franklin

A state relay champion last year, on paper she's in a double silver medal position, holding the No. 2 seed in the South 100-yard freestyle at 55.58 seconds and 100 backstroke (59.93). The Panthers are also the No. 2 seed in the 400 freestyle relay.

IVAN CHEUNG, Natick

The sophomore holds the No. 3 seed in the South boys 50-yard freestyle (22.21), where the top six spots are separated by less than half a second. He's also No. 5 in the 100 butterfly list (53.57).

MINA CHUNG, Algonquin

She's a podium threat in multiple events at the Central/West championships. Chung is the No. 4 seed in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:13.24) and fifth in the 200 individual medley (2:17.39).

MOLLY CONNORS, Ashland

The sophomore is the No. 2 seed in the 100 breaststroke at 1:11.34 in the south sectional.

THOMAS EPPICH, Lincoln-Sudbury

He's the top seed in the North sectional's 200-yard individual medley at 1:56.59. That's more than three seconds clear of the field. He'll also flex his distance muscles in the 500 freestyle as the top seed at 4:38.93. The next closest seed time is 4:52.5.

LUCAS HAYNES, Holliston/Medway

He's the South No. 2 seed in the 500-yard freestyle at 4:45.32 seconds and No. 3 in the 200-yard freestyle at 1:46.43, not even two seconds behind the top spot.

LORELAI HOGAN, Lincoln-Sudbury

Just a freshman, she's the North's No. 2 seed in the 100 freestyle at 54.11 seconds.

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ARYAMAN JAIN, Westborough

The junior recently set meet records at the Midland Wachusett league championships. He's the top seed and defending champion in the 50-yard freestyle at the Central/West sectionals at 21.6 seconds, the only competitor lower than 22. Jain also is out front in the 100 free performance list at 47.86. No one else in the field is seeded faster than 50 seconds.

BRANDON LIU, Framingham

He's the No. 2 South seed in the 100 breaststroke at 59.58 seconds. The Junior is also fourth in the 50 free seed list (22.37).

CAITLYN REITSMA, Westborough

On paper she's in strong podium position at the Central/West meet, seeded second in the 50 freestyle (25.79) and third in the 100 freestyle (56.66).

AXEL SODERQUIST, Algonquin

The senior sprint specialist is seeded second in the 100 freestyle (50.28 seconds) and third in the 50 freestyle (22.4 seconds) at the Central/West championships.

WAYLAND BOYS 200-YARD FREESTYLE RELAY

The Warriors are the North's top seed at 1:30.09, a hair in front of neighbor Weston (1:30.47). Expect fireworks.

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EVE WEATHERHEAD, Hopkinton

The senior holds the No. 3 seed in the girls 1-meter diving event at the South sectionals.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: 13 swimmers and divers to watch at the MIAA sectional championships