Morristown HS Swimming Ready to Make Splash

If size alone can intimidate opposing schools, Morristown High School's boys and girls swimming team might have some shaking in their swim trunks.

The team boasts over 120 swimmers this year, which is just fine for Donna Gelegonya, who is entering her 19th season as head coach. 

"[Our key], because of the size of our team, is our depth," she said. "We're solid top to bottom. We've got talented swimmers across the board who are able to swim most events." 

Gelegonya is backed by two other long-tenured coaches, Bobby Sparano, "the force behind the force," according to Gelegonya, and Maggie Singer, who Gelegonya referred to as "the technician."

Both are key elements to what could be an improving 2010-11 season. Sparano, who once was a swimmer for Gelegonya on the team, conditions the current team day in and day out to ensure maximum performance, she said. Singler, also an experienced swimmer, brings accuracy and precision to the teams' practices. "She's great with taking times and splits and keeping up with all the technical things that help out our swimmers throughout the season," the head coach said. 
 
Last season was a year of rebuilding for the boys side of the pool. Even though the boys team had a record of 11-1, Gelegonya is confident her young swimmers' abilities can be taken to a higher level. "We are a pretty young team as far the boys go," she said. "We should be very strong this year in our division and conference and we should do fairly well in the States. We are looking to be very competitive this year against all the teams we face." 
 
Junior swimmer Ryan Swift will be competing at a high level this year for the Colonials as he is one of the most talented on the team. Bringing his experience as a club swimmer to the team, he will be a swimmer to watch for the entire season. "He can swim anything and he'll do well no matter what he swims," Gelegonya said. 
 
The girls team went 10-3 last season but lost a lot of key swimmers for this season due to graduation. But, plenty of girls have stepped up to fill much-needed positions on the team. "I think our girls team will compete very similarly to the way they did last year," Gelegonya said. 
 
Senior Emily Ashton returns to the team after winning counties in Breast Stroke last year. Senior transfer student, Diedra Espisito, will be adding extra power to the team as an excellent sprinter. She will be competing after sitting out a year due to the transfer and will be "a very nice and needed addition to the team," the head coach said. 
 
Senior Jenny Shih, who excelled this fall in a leadership role with the Colonials tennis team, will exhibit her talents as a swimmer, as well. "She's a very talented athlete," Gelegonya said. "I can throw her in whatever event and she'll perform well. She has been a great asset to the team." 
 
The Colonials face Pequanock High School in their first meet of the season at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at home. Gelegonya said she is confident in her teams' abilities and is looking to come out with a win while boasting great individual times.  

"I'm hoping that we can break a lot of old records this year, our team definitely feels that we can do that," she said.