The boys team finished with an impressive county championship win in 2017, but is more motivated than ever to move on to sectional and state titles this year. Additionally, the girls finished strong last year, but have hopes of winning a county championship this season. Both teams’ current success indicates that they are well on their way to achieving these goals.
Current rankings have the boys team as No. 5 in the state and the girls team as No. 15, with an impressive win over archrival Scotch Plains (ranked fifth in the state) for the first time since 2013.

“Beating Scotch Plains for the first time in four years was our biggest and fastest meet,” said senior girls Tri-Captain Muriel Maloney.

The key to the success of both the boys and girls teams is their camaraderie and deep bond. “We’re supportive of each other, and everyone on the team knows that they’re competing for something bigger than themselves,” said senior boys Tri-Captain Colin Daniel.

No matter who is racing, or what the score is, the spirit of the team is never broken. “This team is successful because of our spirit,” said senior girls Tri-Captain Emma Conlon. “Whether a race is very close, or not close at all, no one is sitting down. Everyone is cheering their team on.”
It is not just the captains who understand the importance of the teams’ bonds in helping them achieve success. Even underclassmen feel the compassion that the members of these teams have for each other. “Everyone is really close with one another and we all cheer each other on,” said sophomore Colm Slevin. “It really pushes you forward to do things you didn’t think you could do.”

Another key part to the teams’ success is the coaching. Boys Coach Jeffrey Knight and Girls Coach Steven Whittington both understand their teams’ abilities.

Knight’s experience allows him to make his athletes the best they can be. “Jeff Knight has been coaching us for years and he knows what everyone is capable of,” Slevin said. “How hard he pushes us in practice is how hard we’ll go in a race.”

Although Whittington is new to the WHS girls swim program, he is quickly learning what makes this team successful. “It is our second year with Coach Whittington and he knows us better this year,” said Conlon. “He knows our strengths and weaknesses and can use them effectively in putting together a strong lineup.”

As for the rest of the season, both teams are hoping the momentum of an outstanding season will carry them to championship wins.

“The first goal is to win the county championship,’ said senior boys Tri-Captain Eric Bebel. “After that, we want to win the sectional championship and then go on to win the state championship.”

The girls’ goals are similar. “Our goal for this season is to hopefully win counties and make it farther in the state tournament than we did last year,” said Conlon.
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The senior class has been instrumental in carrying their teams this far. But even when this year’s seniors are gone, the teams are in very good hands. “I couldn’t be prouder of my team’s performance this season,” said senior girls Tri-Captain Grace Cash. “Every swimmer has improved and we have received a very solid freshman class coming in.”

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