Girls Swim Team Ready to Defend State Title; Boys Look to Next Year

After earning the North II, Division A last week and state semi-final honors on Tuesday , the No. 1 ranked girls swim team (15-0) head's into a battle for a third consecutive state swimming championship on Sunday.

WHS defeated Ridgewood 94-76 in the semifinal last season, and went on to become Group A co-state champions with West Windsor South. This year Ridgewood was the top seed in the North I, Division A sectional, and beat second seeded Montclair High School 93-77 in the finals to earn another trip to the state tournament.

“Ridgewood is a quality team with a lot of talented girls,” head coach Jeffrey Knight said. “I am sure they will give us their best, but if we do what we’re capable of, we should advance.”

Knight, the longtime boys swimming coach who is in his first year at the helm of the girls squad, is confident in his team’s ability to knock off an unbeaten Ridgewood squad in part because of the demanding regular season schedule the girls went through. The Blue Devils faced four teams that are in the state’s Top 20, including No. 2 Immaculate Heart, No. 3 Bridgewater-Raritan, No. 5 Mount Saint Mary’s, and No. 17 Montgomery.

“We pride ourselves in having one of the toughest schedules in the state,” Knight said. “We are used to the level of competition in states, and we don’t get wide-eyed in the tournament.”

Westfield’s ability to remain the best team in New Jersey is a testament to its incredible talent. Led by senior tri-captains Meg Kaveney, Kylie Bangs and Ally Rose, the Blue Devils are very experienced and work hard throughout the season to improve their times.

Knight credits the girls’ work ethic to their inherent desire to get better, as well as the understanding that they have a target on their back because they are the number one team.

“We know people are gunning for us, but you want that,” he said. “The senior class is used to it, and it’s a trickle down effect to the younger players.”

Westfield also has a strong freshman class, which Knight believes may be the fastest in New Jersey. The Blue Devils’ depth and skill level makes them a formidable opponent in the state tournament.

“It starts with our seniors, but we have 37 girls who are all talented and key to our success,” Knight said.

While the girls extended their season with the sectional championship on Thursday, the boys’ season came to an end with their 93-77 loss to Bridgewater-Raritan in their sectional final.

The second seeded Blue Devils (9-4) defeated East Brunswick and Hunterdon Central to reach the finals, but could not upset the top seeded Panthers (11-1). It is the second year in a row in which Bridgewater-Raritan has beaten Westfield for the sectional title.

“Our guys swam phenomenally,” Knight said. “We knew we had to give our best effort, and we did. It was a great meet for everyone.”

The Panthers built an early lead, but Westfield came within four points after winning both the 100 freestyle and 200 free relay.

“We had a shot at the end against maybe the best team in the state, and that’s all you can ask for,” Knight said.

Westfield began the season 3-0 before losing its first meet to Bridgewater-Raritan (115.5-54.5) on December 17. The Blue Devils won three of their next four meets though, and Knight believes they were at their peak by early February.

“Top to bottom we trained to be ready for states,” he said. “A lot of people put too much stock into meets in December and January. That’s when we figure out where to put people and what works best.”

The Blue Devils were anchored by five seniors, and had several juniors who Knight credits with making great personal strides.

“(Juniors) Brennan Haley, Matt Trinkle, and Alex Bond all came into their own this year,” Knight said.

Overall they were a young team, with nine freshmen and 14 underclassmen total. Although the boys did not reach the State Semifinals this year, Westfield is a program on the rise.

“Our young guys are growing into the sport, which bodes well for us,” Knight said. “We can be serious contenders for a state title next year.”