Loads of Success in the Pool for Mounties

This year, the Montclair boys swimming team—for the first time—made it to the second round of the state team tournament. Even though the Mounties lost to Bayonne in that round, it was a big step up for the program.

While the success for the boys in the states was new, the Montclair girls team continued its tide of success as they made it to the state sectional final, only to fall to Ridgewood. It has been four straight years that the Lady Mounties swimmers made the state sectional final and their record is 2-2.

Those were just a few of the many highlights for the Montclair's boys and girls swimming teams during head coach Ed Koenigsfest's first year running the teams.

"I could not be happier as a first year head coach," said Koenigsfest. "It was great to see the teams succeed."

Both teams finished at 7-2 in the Super Essex Conference. The boys losses came to Newark Academy and Seton Hall Prep while the girls dropped meets to Mount St. Dominic and Millburn.

In addition the Montclair boys finished second at the Essex County Swim Meet while the Montclair girls came in third.

On the first team in the All Super Essex Conference for the girls was junior Olivia Graham in the 50 freestyle. She also competed at the State Meet of Champions in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. "She works very hard and has a great work ethic," said Koenigsfest. "I was very happy with her in the sprints because it very competitive. She's gotten faster and stronger."

Also on the first team All SEC on the girls' side was junior Codi Haigney in the 200 freestyle. She has also made it to the State Meet of Champions in the 200 freestyle. "She's extremely dedicated," said Koenigsfest about Haigney, who missed last season because of illness. "She's an amazing athlete and bounced right back this season."

The other girls who received honors were junior Samantha Regan and sophomore Nora O'Leary in the 200 freestyle and the 100 breastroke respectively for second team All SEC. Sophomore Lucy Frezza was given an honorable mention All SEC.

The 400 freestyle relay team of Haigney, Graham, O'Leary. and Frezza also made it to the SMOC.

While not on the All SEC list, one of the bigger contributors to the season was senior captain Abby Chambers who excelled in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. "She was a great captain and a great leader," said Koenigsfest.

One of the key parts for the Montclair boys revival was freshman Marc Sambolin, who moved to the area from Puerto Rico during midseason. Sambolin finished off his season by finishing fifth at the 100 butterfly at the SMOC. "He's a young guy and a great athlete," said Koenigsfest of Sambolin. "She just pushes himself more and more."

Sambolin was also named to the first team All SEC in the 100 freestyle.

Like Sambolin, the future is bright with sophomore J.D. Chow who also ended the season at the SMOC and competed in the 100 breastroke. "He's the hardest working kid that I have seen and he's very disciplined," said Koenigsfest about Chow who was second team All SEC in the breastroke. “He has great technique."

Another one of the young boys swimmers is freshman Matthew Peknay who excelled in the 200 freestyle and also swims for the Montclair YMCA. Peknay was named to the All SEC honorable mention list.

Another key swimmer on the boys' side was junior captain Kristof Van Winden who brought plenty of leadership that pushed the Mounties into the state team tournament.

Van Winden garnered second team honors in the 100 backstroke while he was part of the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle which also received second team SEC honors.

Along with Van Winden on the second team All SEC was Chow, Sambolin, and Peknay. James Macksoud, Peknay, and Sambolin joined Van Winden on the 400 free relay. Koenigsfest and the rest of the Mounties will miss the senior leadership from the likes of Abby Chambers, Casey Hough, Gabriella DiBernardo, and Anna Drukker on the girls side, and Gianna Anfuso, Macksoud, William Oliner, Connor Rossner, and Manuel Simon on the boys' side.

All SEC/All Essex County

Girls

First Team
Codi Haigney 200 Free
Olivia Graham 50 Free

Second Team
Samma Regan 200 Free
Nora O'Leary 100 Breast

Honorable Mention
Lucy Frezza

Boys

First Team
Marc Sambolin  100 Free

Second Team
Kristof Van Winden, J.D. Chow, Marc Sambolin, Matthew Peknay - 200 Medley Relay
Matthew Peknay 200 Free
Kristof Van Winden 100 Back
JD Chow 100 Breast
Kristof Van Winden, James Macksoud, Matthew Peknay, Marc Sambolin - 400 Free Relay

Honorable Mention
Matthew Peknay