Varsity Swimming Update

With three meets down and two left until Christmas break, the OP Swimming Team is confident in their ability to win their two upcoming meets.  This year the team has grown to over 30 swimmers, all of which have proven to be integral to the team success.  Coach Bosland and Coach Kallenberg have been able to inspire these swimmers to success due to tiresome 6AM practices and 75 minute dryland sessions.  Finally, captains John Cannilla and Joe Nowacki are making sure that no one is left behind.

The first meet of the year is always a tough one, and it was not made any easier by the team they were against.  Oratory’s first meet was on December 1st against the #2 team in the state, Westfield.  The meet started off well with Ian Ellmer, Aidan Herrighty, Patrick Heffernan, and Andrew Meisner breaking the school record in the 200 meter medley relay with a 1:45:88.  Meisner also went to win the 500 free with a 5:12:23 and Ellmer won the 100 Back with a 1:07.  While the final score may have been 127-43 in favor of Westfield, it was still a great meet for all the swimmers.

In the pouring rain, the OP swim team traveled to Elizabeth for what they hoped would be an easy meet.  That turned out to be true as lanes 3 and 5 finished in first and second place for most of the races.  Ian Ellmer won the 200 Free and 100 Fly, John Cannila placed first in the 500 and 50 free,  Joe Nowacki took first in the 100 breast, while Andrew Meisner won the 100 free.  Nick Kardis won the 100 back and the 200 meter free relay team made up of Meisner, Nowacki, Cannilla, and Michael Cantaluppi placed first as well.  The final score of that meet was 104-66 in favor of the Rams.

Coming off that great win, the team felt that they had a great chance to beat rival New Providence on Thursday, December 9th.  Even without two of their best swimmers in Aidan Herrighty and Pat Heffernan, the team was ahead after the first four events.  They then went on to win four of the last seven events. It was still not enough, however, as New Providence won 92 to 78.  Raking up those wins were John Cannila and Andrew Meisner who each had 2 victories, while Ian Ellmer took home another victory.  As a whole, the team had two relay victories.  This week, the team has two crucial meets against Scotch Plains and Governor Livingston where they will hope to rebound after their defeat to New Prov.