The West Morris Central Girls swim team has just finished a very successful season. For the first time in school history, the girls won the State Sectional Championships, went almost undefeated all season, broke school records, and made a lot of incredible memories.
The season started out strong with a win against West Morris Mendham (98-71) and the girls didn’t falter as it went on, ending off with a win against Verona High School (95-75).
Whether a swimmer was new to the sport or an experienced club swimmer their contribution was valuable and none of this would have been possible without them. Some high point scorers included senior Abby Ford, junior Jillian Weinberger, sophomore Carleigh Mosser, freshman Elisa Porebki, and freshman Abby Czinkota.
Abby Ford had an almost undefeated season in her individual events. Out of the several races that she took part in at dual meets she only lost once. It was a great way to finish off her West Morris Central swimming career.
As a freshman Ford’s relay team broke the 200 Free relay record. Three years later Ford, Porebski, Weignberger, and Czinkota broke the 400 Free relay record at counties earning them 4th place. It was a wholesome moment and an awesome way for Ford to wrap up her last counties. However, she didn’t stop at counties. Ford individually qualified for the Meet of Champions and while there she broke two more school records: the 50 (24.78) and 100(53.27) free.
The team as a whole swam thirteen meets and won eleven of them. These smaller successes throughout the season lead to a fantastic win against Verona high school in the State Sectionals. Several WMC swimmers swam best times, placed first, and gave it their all and it all paid off.
Going into the meet against Verona, nerves were high. “I was kind of nervous, because obviously I thought the school we would be competing against; they’re really good too, but we obviously did really well and won,” said freshman Naisha Prasad.
The nerves were completely unnecessary though because the girls gave it their all and swam their best securing the win. “I was very happy when we won. And I was kind of expecting it, but it was still a tight meet,” said Freshman Avery Rapel.
Going into the season Coach Samantha Beatrice made it clear that this season was going to give the team the opportunity to finally win state sectionals and possibly go undefeated. However, some more personal goals set by swimmers for their individual performances were also reached. Rapel was aiming “…to get below a minute and thirty five seconds on my 100 breastroke.” She ended up demolishing her goal by almost three seconds.
Rapel wasn’t the only one with a goal going into the season. Newcomer Prasad wanted, “…to do well in the events [she] was assigned to swim, and to get out of [Her] comfort zone and try new events.”
Despite all their achievements, the girls suffered a tough loss to Haddonfield in the semi-final round of the group tournament. Haddonfield was the number one seed and had Olympic trialist Audrey Derivaux, so the loss was expected and the girls took it gracefully. “I was pretty sad [that the season was over], but we gave it our best shot,” said Rapel.
One loss wasn’t going to take away from everything the girls achieved this season. “It was a big achievement to go against them,” claimed Prasad.
All the wins and successes this season were awesome but part of what made the season so enjoyable was the sense of community that was built. At the end of the season practices the girls got to enjoy themselves and have a fun time with friends. “The last practices were fun. We were given options to swim whatever strokes you wanted for the day and play games like sharks and minnows,” claimed Prasad.
Overall, it was a very successful season for these girls and The Paw would like to congratulate the team, Coach Sam Beatrice, Coach Hildreth, and Coach Jim Beatrice on all their accomplishments!
