Ridge Swimming Hangs Tough, Falls to Bridgewater

The Red Devils swim program lost a spirited dual meet at the Bridgewater Area YMCA against the Panthers of Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Tuesday afternoon. Despite notching wins in several events, the Red Devil boys fell to Bridgewater-Raritan by a score of 111-59, while the girls were defeated by a 119-51 margin.

Still, the meet was good practice for Ridge’s top swimmers, many of whom Red Devils head coach Melanie Dupuis expects to be competing in county and conference competition.

“It was preparation for some of our swimmers to see some of the same competition they’ll see at counties and the conference meet,” said Dupuis.

Despite losing on both sides, there were still plenty of good moments for Ridge’s boys and girls swimmers. On the boys’ side, sophomore Matt Glockenmeier and senior captain Bradley Wachenfeld each had a hand in three victories. Both were a part of the winning 400 Freestyle Relay team with freshmen Jackson Crewe and Aaron Schlemovitz, which posted a time of 3:52.89. Glockenmeier also went on to win the 200 Individual Medley (2:18.35) and the 100 Breaststroke (1:11.29), while Wachenfeld took first in the 200 and 400 Freestyle with times of 2:01.77 and 4:18.79, respectively.

For the girls, sophomore Brianna Thompson captured the only win of the day for Ridge in the 400 Freestyle. In a true show of endurance, Thompson outlasted all other competitors in the event, winning with a time of 5:01.29 and edging out the Panthers’ Christine Egan in a photo finish.

Despite the result, the Red Devils received nothing but praise for today’s effort from Panthers’ head boys coach Sean Foley.

And for Dupuis, who is an alumna of Bridgewater-Raritan High School, having her team go up against her alma mater is always an intriguing event.

“We always have fun going up against Bridgewater,” said Dupuis.