Marlins Swimming Finishes Regular Season With Wins

The Westfield Blue and White swimming teams ended their regular seasons last Thursday with victories over West Caldwell.

The Marlin's Blue team finished the season at 8-0 – an astounding 27^th consecutive unbeaten season -- while the White finished at 3-2.

The post-season begins Monday with the Blue team taking part in the divisional meet at Morris Township at 8:30 a.m., while the league meet will be Thursday morning at New Providence. The White team's 11-over championships will be Friday at Westfield's Memorial Poll and the 10-and-under Saturday morning at the same facility.

The Blue team ended its regular season with two records. Caroline Basil set a record in the 11-12 backstroke. Matt Daniel, Larry Zhang, Erika Daniel and Sarah Conlin set a 13-and-over record in the medley relay.

The 12-under boys' medley team recently set a record with Colin Daniel, Ryan Daniel, Jack Rose and Matt Barmakian going 1:08.49. The former record was 1:10.28.

"It was a very successful year,'' said Westfield coach Judy Lee. "The Blue team is made up of the kids who swim year around, and we have a lot more experienced kids on that team.''

Among the standouts who will be tough to beat at the league meets will be Sara Cronin and Eric Daniel. Cronin has been strong in the freestyle and butterflies, while Daniel is a freestyle specialist. Megan Kaveney is another swimmer who should medal in the 13-and-under breaststroke and butterfly.

"She's been very close to a couple of records this summer,'' Lee said.

Lee said that the teams had to rely on outstanding performances by relay teams to knock off Livingston and New Providence.

"We have a very strong team, they are very competitive across the board,'' said Lee, who has a program of more than 200 youngsters.