MILLBURN – Less than two weeks ago, the Summit Sharks swim team defeated Millburn by nearly 100 points in the Sharks' first home meet of the season. On Monday evening, Millburn returned the favor at home, defeating Summit 255-189 and handing the team its first loss.
"We were missing a couple of swimmers tonight, and I think they were missing some swimmers when we met them earlier in the season," Sharks head coach Ryan Hauptman said. "That's just how it goes, especially during the summer when kids have other obligations. But either way, it's no excuse. Millburn was simply much better tonight."
Although Hauptman says his team has improved on starts and turns – the small but important aspects of swimming that can make or break a team – on Monday evening, Millburn was simply the better squad.
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"We've definitely improved since the beginning of the season," Hauptman said. "But today we were just flat-out beaten in the middle of the pool."
While it's virtually impossible for any coach not to be concerned with wins and losses, Hauptman helped put the purpose of the summer swim team into perspective.
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"As much as we like to think it's about winning and losing, it's not," Hauptman said. "It's really about developing a love for swimming, having fun, and improving. Not that I like to lose, but I think this is kind of a good thing. It lets our kids know that they're not yet where they need to be and there's still work to be done. If you win every meet, the kids might not work as hard in practice. Now I can point to this meet and say, 'Look, we need to improve and work harder.'"
"Today's loss will give us some perspective and definitely motivate us going forward," Hauptman added.
Summit (4-1) hosts East Hanover on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Summit Family Aquatic Center.
Sharks v. Millburn Highlights (by age group)
15 and over
Boys: Dan Byers placed first in the 50 freestyle (25.59) and second in the 50 backstroke (31.46). Robert Zhang placed first in the 50 butterfly (29.53) and second in the 50 breaststroke (33.15).
Girls: Amanda Wilson took second place in the 50 breaststroke (36.86). Kelly Delaney placed second in the 50 butterfly (30.67).
13-14 years old
Boys: Ryan Sebastian took first place in the 50 freestyle (25.31) and the 50 butterfly (26.89). Morgan Matsuda placed first in the 50 breaststroke (33.62) and second in the 100 IM (1:06.89).
Girls: Jackie Joffe and Nicole Bazalar placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Joffe also finished first in the 50 backstroke (34.59).
11-12 years old
Boys: Conor Fagan, Kevin Gettings, Matt Samay, and Jackson Tyler took first place in the 12 & Under 100 medley relay (1:18.00). Fagan, David Ragan, Deacon Donaldson, and Kevin Gettings took first place in the 12 & Under 100 freestyle relay (1:06.96).
Girls: Sandra Bazalar and Audrey Hannigan placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Angharad Healey took first place in the 50 butterfly (34.96) and second in the 100 IM (1:20.12). Healey, Vanessa Elko, Juliana Nociari, and Leila Esposito took first place in the 12 & Under 100 medley relay (1:18.92).
9-10 years old
Boys: Jackson Tyler finished first in the 25 freestyle (15.20) and second in the 25 butterfly (17.31).
Girls: Katie Samay placed first in the 25 freestyle (16.33) and second in the 25 butterfly (18.36). Leila Esposito took first place in the 25 breaststroke (23.55).
8 and under
Boys: Zowie Vukasinovic placed first in the 25 breaststroke (23.02).
Girls: Megan Gregory took first place in the 25 backstroke (23.59).
