Swim Meet Held in Honor of Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II; More than 50 Swimmers Compete

NEPTUNE, N.J. – Earlier this month, the Neptune Aquatic Center hosted a swim meet to honor the memory of Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II. Zilinski was an alumnus of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, and a West Point graduate who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country in Iraq. Assigned to the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Dennis was conducting combat operations when an improvised explosive device detonated. He was 23 years old.

Zilinski was a fierce competitor in the pool, and played a key role when CBA won its first state title in 1998. As a senior, Dennis led the team as captain, and went on to West Point to excel in the pool where he was also named team captain. Lt. Zilinski’s medals include a Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Global War on Terror, Iraq Campaign Service Medal and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.

In 2006, family and close friends founded the Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Foundation to honor Dennis’ memory and spirit. The Memorial Foundation sponsors many events throughout the year, provides scholarships and support for wounded military personnel. The Zilinski Foundation also funds a scholarship at Christian Brothers Academy which includes a service component aimed to help our military men and women.

A rising senior at CBA, Peter E. Warshaw, III organized the swim meet. Over the summer Warshaw – a Zilinski scholarship recipient -- worked with Coach Vito Chiaravalloti of Christian Brothers Academy, Coach Paul Buerck of the Monmouth Barracudas Swim Club, Mrs. Sara Palumbo, Director of the Neptune Aquatic Center, Dennis and Marion Zilinski (Dennis’ parents), and Mr. Donald Campan of the Zilinski Memorial Foundation sending e-mails, drafting flyers, setting up online fundraising, attending meetings, tracking funds and advertising the meet on social media.

More than 50 swimmers turned out for the event, including current and alumni CBA varsity swimmers, Monmouth Barracuda Club swimmers, and lifeguards from Spring Lake and other shore towns.

Warshaw is co-captain of the varsity swim team at Christian Brothers Academy and is a member of the Monmouth Barracudas Swim Club. He is a beach lifeguard employed by the Spring Lake Beach Patrol.