Central Swimmers Lead by Seniors in Competitive Season

Editor’s Note: The West Morris Central varsity swim team, competing in just its sixth year, fought team injuries throughout the 2014-15 campaign but rose to the challenges before them. The following is a season recap article provided by the team.

As the 2014-2015 season ended, the West Morris Central Swim Team honored the Wolfpack Seniors at their annual team banquet. The seniors were lauded for their dedication and hard work by Principal Ryan, and Athletic Director Schilling, AD Schilling recounted the early days of the team and how far they’d come in their six-year history as a varsity sport at WMC in terms of accomplishment and athletic capability.

On this group in particular, Coaches Beatrice and Skiba relied heavily, with each senior swimming individual and relay events in almost every meet this season.

Among the leading seniors was one of the team captains, Ryan Vinh. The team’s ‘pure sprinter’, swam the 50 Free, 100 Free and Relays, finishing in a top spot in every meet this year. “His leadership in and out of the pool was exemplary” Coach Beatrice offered, “You could always count on Ryan to rise to the occasion. I think his best swim was actually a 3rd place finish against powerhouse Chatham – Ryan swam against state-ranked swimmers.”

Another remarkable swimmer and great teammate was senior Katie Bryant. Katie was called on to swim the difficult Individual Medley in every meet. “Her capability to swim every stroke so well, and her consistency throughout the season really helped us.” Coach Beatrice added “her improvement year over year was great to see, her work ethic and drive set an example for all our swimmers”.

Another team captain, Bella Beatrice, lost her senior season due to injury, but that didn’t stop her from having a big impact on the team. Bella never missed a practice, and could be heard at every meet cheering for her teammates. “Very proud of her” added her coach and father, “tough break to lose her senior year, but having her on the pool deck added value to the team in so many ways”.

Team Captain Maddie Evans could always be counted on to swim the longer 200 and 400 Free events. “She was invaluable to us” said first year assistant coach Jen Skiba. “She contributed points at almost every meet, her endurance in longer events was terrific, but she drove us crazy all season… her last lap in the 400 was often faster than her first!.”

Senior Ben Neubeck is “best characterized by his dependability and his work ethic”, offered Coach Beatrice. ”We counted on Ben to score for us in the 200 Free at every meet, and he improved his 200 Free time by an astounding 28 seconds over the course of the season.”

Outspoken Katie Sciortino swam the 100 Breast, and posted her best time in the Union-Morris-Essex Tri-County Championship meet. “One of the smallest members of the team with one of the biggest voices on the pool deck”, recounted Coach Skiba, “she worked so hard and improved throughout the season”.

Graduating Junior Kieran Nugent, “an excellent young lady who’s early graduation is no surprise -- another example of her determination – the same determination we saw in the pool all season” described Coach Beatrice.

Senior Boys Team Captain Lucas Stalhut was “a versatile swimmer who did everything well” according to Coach Skiba, “He swam whatever we needed – Free, Back, Breast. Lucas’s capability in all strokes really helped push the relay teams.”

Senior Denisse Madera was “dedicated and hardworking” described Coach Skiba. “In addition to swimming the 100 Back and 200 Free, we relied heavily on Denisse for the relay teams as well. Denisse is very graceful in the pool, an artistic swimmer.”

Cassie McKenna, Girls’ Team Captain, also had an injury shortened season. “Always trying, always improving,” Coach Beatrice noted “she often swam Fly for the team – the toughest stroke to really be good at.”

“A tough year overall”, according to 3rd year head Coach Beatrice, “too many injuries this year. Except for a couple powerhouse opponents, we were competitive in every meet, and won our share.” The coach added, “I hope these seniors know what a privilege it’s been for us to coach them. To a person, they’ve been an incredible group, and they’ll be hard to replace.”

Pictured: Back Row: Ben Neubeck, Bella Beatrice, Maddie Evans, Kieran Nugent. Middle Row: Lucas Stalhut, Cassie McKenna, Ryan Vinh. Front Row: Coach Skiba, Katie Bryant, Katherine Sciortino, Denisse Madera, Coach Beatrice

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