Sports
SP-F High Boys Swimmers Edge Past Westfield
This was the Raiders first win against the rival in ten years.
It felt more like a championship atmosphere than a regular season meet, but that's what happens when Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Westfield get together. There was plenty of excitement from the first event to the last, as the Raiders defeated the Blue Devils for the first time in ten years, 87-83, to remain unbeaten.
"I thought it was a very good performance by both teams," said the Raiders' Zachary Koch. "I'm very proud of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Raiders, my team, and that we finally beat Westfield. We tried really hard, we've been training really hard. I just have a lot of pride for all the swimmers on the team. Words fail to describe the importance of this win."
Scotch Plains not only won seven of the eleven events, they also broke four school records, three of those with the help of Mike Napolitano. All in all, it was a day that will long be remembered.
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"It was amazing, seeing us rally, especially down the stretch," said senior captain Andrew Van Haasteren. "We knew we needed clutch performances. These guys just came through and they pulled it off. It was the thirds, fourths, the fifths, the backstroke and breaststroke that put us over the top and put us in a position to win. We did this as a team."
"This is a big win," added Greg Baliko, who won the 200 IM. "I'm only a sophomore, I know our whole team has been waiting for this victory for a long time. Both teams swam well today. It was a really close meet and it was a great victory for us."
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Westfield, who are the defending Public A state champions, came in with a mark of 3-2 after losses to Mountain Lakes and Bridgewater-Raritan. They were led by Jack Lorentzen, who earned a pair of solid times in capturing the freestyle sprints. The Blue Devils also won the 200 freestyle relay, while Matt Meserole, a 2009 All-State selection, took the 100 yard backstroke. But the day belonged to the Raiders.
"I thought our team really outswam ourselves this time," said Dan Napolitano. "We've been kind of insulted with the standings, not a team to watch or anything. I feel like we really proved ourselves, proved our worth this time."
And after all was said and done, there was still plenty of respect to go around.
"It's a friendly rivalry, and it's a not friendly rivalry," continued Napolitano. "I have a lot of friends on the team. I congratulate them all, and they did a very fine job, but we outdid them this time."
On the girls side, Westfield remained unbeaten at 6-0 with their 100-70 triumph over the Raiders. Brenda Ho, Nicole DiPaola, Kelly Gajdzisz and Steph Ballco iced the victory by taking first in the 400 freestyle relay.
"We knew we could do it," said Westfield coach Brooke Smith. "They came in, the did exactly what they needed to do. We got those extra points. We didn't finish sixth in many races. Swim meets basically come down to every little point. I'm very proud of the girls today."
SP-F was led by Kelsey Rossi, who won both freestyle events in impressive fashion.
As for the Westfield boys, they'll be looking for another chance against their rival on January 30 in the Union County Championships set for Rutgers University. If it's anything like yesterday, it will certainly be worth watching.
