Highland Sharks Continue Winning Streak

Summer swimming leagues are designed for fun. Winning is a byproduct of it—something the Highland swim team knows a lot about.

The Scotch Plains team upped its record to 3-0 Wednesday night with a commanding win over Manor Park in Westfield in a Union County Outdoor Summer League meet.

Head coach Bill Reichel, who’s been the team’s head coach for 24 years, got contributions from both beginning and seasoned swimmers.

“It’s a very short season and we have to cram a lot of meets into it,’’ said Reichel, the head boys coach at The Pingry School during the school year. “But it’s fun. It’s enjoyable to work with the kids. The kids are a good group. We have a couple of big meets coming up next week, so this one was for staging for next week.’’

The Keenan brothers were two of the winners. Pat Keenan, who’ll be a senior in the fall at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, won the 15-17 breaststroke in 37.19 and took the butterfly in 30.15. Brother Don won the 15-17 freestyle in 27.06.

“I’m trying to get some good times and stuff, mostly,’’ Pat said. "Nothing too spectacular. I’m not in great shape yet. It’s just fun, hanging out with your friends and stuff. I don’t take it too seriously because it’s supposed to be fun.’’

Jessica Fuget won the 11-12-year-old backstroke and butterfly in 42.68 and 43.41 respectively. Jeff Peart won the 11-12 breastroke.

A big crowd lined around the pool to watch as the Sharks took charge.

“It’s supposed to be fun,’’ Reichel said. “”There’s a competitive nature to it, but it’s more for fun. It’s more about introducing the kids to the sport so they pursue it on a year-round basis. This is where you get your high school swimmers, your club swimmers from the summer teams.’’

Reichel said that he’s proud of the fact that the Sharks return year after to year.

“Patrick has been a member of the Highland swim club since he was seven,’’ Reichel said. “Our kids are pretty local. We have tons of older kids who come back.’’

The team will be back in Westfield Friday when they swim against the Westfield Memorial “green’’ team at 9a.m. before playing host to Westfield’s Nomahegan Saturday morning at 8:30a.m.