Strong Leadership Looks to Help Central Swimmers Lap Competition

When temperatures drop to the lows Washington Township has seen this week, taking a dip in a pool is likely the last thing on someone’s mind.

But for 55 West Morris Central students, it’s at the top of the list.

The school’s swim team, led by senior captains Bella Beatrice, Maddie Evans, Cassie McKenna, Lucas Stalhut, and Ryan Vinh, is looking to improve on last year’s combined (boys and girls) even record.

The team is coached by Jim Beatrice, who is in his third year at the helm. For the first time in the program’s history, swimmers have been doing “dry-land” training and working on a weights program under strength coach Chris DelPreore. The coaching staff is also welcoming the addition of Jennifer Skiba, a WMC 2006 graduate and former competitive swimmer.

The team trains five times a week at Centenary College and will compete in its first meet on Dec. 2 against Parsippany Hills. Central will hit the pool again just three days later against Mendham.

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. Photo Courtesy Greg Sansone.