The New Jersey high school swimming season is hitting its peak. Ranked meets are becoming more consistent in the schedule just ahead of county meets beginning. This is when the winter starts to get really fast in the pool, meaning you don’t want to miss the action these next few weeks.
Have a look at some of the headlines in boys swimming below from this past week.
Ben Stanker of St. Augustine swims in the 100 breaststroke during the NJSIAA boys Non-pub swimming final at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center at Rutgers University, in Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, February 25, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Public vs. Non-Public Powers Collide
This past week, there were several big-time dual meets that consisted of one perennial public and non-public championship contender.
No. 1 Westfield (8-0) took down No. 7 Christian Brothers (3-1), 100-70 on Jan. 15 behind a pair of program records set from Owen Waibel in the 50 free (20.80) and the 200 MR (1:33.72) alongside Danny Pierce, Hudson Wilcomes, and Logan Swenson.
No. 2 St. Augustine (5-0) dazzled on the road on Jan. 15 against a Group A dark horse in Egg Harbor (2-1) in a 103-67 effort, totaling eight event victories.
No. 3 Bridgewater-Raritan (7-0) took down No. 8 Bergen Catholic (4-2), 118-52 thanks to four event sweeps on Jan. 16, including two relays. Gregory Yukhvid led the sweep in the 100 fly and Jaden Lee paced the pack in the backstroke.
No. 9 Seton Hall Prep knocked out the only other remaining undefeated team in Essex County on Jan. 14. On the road, the Pirates (8-0) moved by a surging Columbia (6-1) unit, 110-60 behind 11 race victories.
In the most dramatic meet this week, No. 10 Pingry (2-2) registered the 86-84 win over No. 15 Ridge (0-3) on Jan. 14. Anchor Carter Smith muscled an overtake against Ridge to collect the much-needed third-place finish, which was won by just 0.67 seconds.
No. 12 St. Peter’s Prep (4-2) captured a big road win over Passaic Tech (7-2) on Jan. 15 behind three straight individual 1-2-3 tallies. Those races were won by Michael Florentino (100 free, 100 back) and Will Heinze (500 free).
In this setting, the Non-Public squads prevailed overall, winning four of the six matchups.
Neptune Back on Top
For the first time in a decade, Neptune can walk away from the swimming season with a trophy.
The Scarlet Fliers are division champions in the Shore Conference-C North, securing the title with a win over Raritan on Jan. 16. They are 6-0 in the division and 7-2 overall to cap a program-altering campaign.
Isaac Rivers of St. Peter’s swims the fly lap of the Individual Medley against Seton Hall Prep in Tuesday’s high school boys swim meet in Newark. 12/19/2023. Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance MediaSteve Hockstein | For NJ Advance
County Meets Flaring Up
This past weekend, Christian Brothers and Southern commenced county/conference meet season with championships in Monmouth and Ocean counties, respectively.
On tap this upcoming weekend, we will see the following reigning champions defend their trophies, alphabetically.
- Bridgewater-Raritan (Skyland Conference, Jan. 18)
- Chatham (Morris County, Jan. 18)
- Passaic Tech (Passaic County, Jan. 18)
- Seton Hall Prep (Essex County, Jan. 20)
- St. Peter’s Prep (Hudson County, Jan. 20)
- Westfield (Union County, Jan. 19)
Jack Kulp of Chatham swims in the 500 freestyle during the NJSIAA boys group B swimming final at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center at Rutgers University, in Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, February 25, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Longest Winning Streaks
Entering Jan. 17, here are the longest dual meet win streaks in the Garden State.
| 1. Chatham: 51 |
| 2. Westfield: 38 |
| 3. St. Augustine: 26 |
| 4. Lenape Valley: 13 |
| 5. South Plainfield: 11 |
| T-6. Haddon Heights: 8 |
| T-6. Princeton: 8 |
| T-6. Seton Hall Prep: 8 |
| T-6. Wardlaw-Hartridge: 8 |
| T-10. Bridgewater-Raritan: 7 |
| T-10. Manasquan: 7 |
| T-10. Mendham: 7 |
| T-10. Rumson-Fair Haven: 7 |
| T-10. Rutherford: 7 |
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now!
Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)
PJ Potter may be reached at PPotter@njadvancemedia.com.