Westfield Marlins Beat New Providence

Judy Lee has been at it since 1973.

The longtime successful coach of the Pingry School field hockey team has spent part of her last 37 summers, nurturing young Westfield swimmers.

Another season started Thursday with the Westfield Marlins knocking off New Providence 302-143 at Memorial Pool in a North Jersey Summer Swim League meet.

“I would say 95 percent of our kids have meet experience,’’ said Lee, who spent the meet mentoring swimmers as they came to her for tips. “We might have three or four kids who are new this year.’’

Steve Husch was among the big winners. He set team records in winning the boys’ 11-12-year-old IM and breast stroke. He also swam a leg on the first-place medley relay team. When Husch came over to Lee to chat, Lee just smiled.

“Your stroke looks fantastic,’’ said Lee, who lives in Basking Ridge. “I wouldn’t change anything.’’

Later, Lee added “He’s very good. I don’t know where he ranks in the state, but I have to believe he’s in the top five in his specialty,’’ events.

Other triple winners were Erika Daniel, who won the 11-12-yearold old butterfly IM and was part of the first-place medley relay. Daniel is part of quite a family. Five Daniels swim for the Marlins and all five of them won in the season-opening meet: Matt won the 13-14-year-old backstroke and butterfly and swam on the victorious medley team. Jenna Daniel won the 8-under freestyle and was on the first-place freestyle relay team, Colin Daniel won the 9-10 butterfly and swam a leg on the first-place freestyle relay and Ryan Daniel took the 11-12-year-old butterfly and swam a leg on the first-place freestyle relay team.

“They’re all great swimmers and really nice people,’’ Lee said.

Others who won two events and swam on first-place relays were Larry Zhang (15-18 IM and breaststroke, and freestyle relay); Shannon Pyle (9-10, free and backstroke and medley relay); Aram Barmakian (11-12, freestyle and backstroke and freestyle relay); Sarah Cronin (13-14 freestyle and butterfly and freestyle relay) and Mason Hickman, who won the 8-under freestyle and butterfly events and swam on the freestyle relay. Caroline Basil won the 11-12 back and breast and swam on the medley relay.

"I thought we did really well for our first meet, ‘’ said Lee, whose 80-strong team swims at West Caldwell next Wednesday. “We seemed to be pretty organized. A lot of our kids picked up from where they left off last season. I’m very optimistic about the season now.’’

Tom Walsh won the 14-15 freestyle and was on the medley relay first-place team. Matt Barmakian won the 9-10 backstroke and was a member of the first-place medley relay. Caitlin English took the 15-18 backstroke and contributed to a first-place medley relay. Megan Kaveney won the 15-18 breast and also chipped in with the first-place medley team and Jack Naughton won the 9-10 breast and came back to swim in the freestyle relay victory.

Lee is assisted by Becky Clapp (in her second year), Matt Bluttfield (in his first) and Megan Rauch (also in her first year). Lee is proud that all three came up through the Westfield program.