“The expectation around the board was to win another state championship. We knew we had the tools to do so, but it was a matter of hard work and proper execution,” said senior Logan Swenson.
Execution.
Entering this season, the Blue Devils were ranked No. 1 in New Jersey, meaning they had everything to lose if they could not produce as Nj.com had predicted. Despite swimming being a relatively individual sport, the beauty of the 2024-25 roster fostered the perfect amount of cohesion and experience to execute supremacy at every level.
“Westfield boys swimming is really a special program. It’s impressive alone to win one state championship, but to be consistently this dominant over decades is different. Personally, I attribute my success to the constant support of my teammates and my coach,” said senior tri-captain Danny Pierce.
Dominance.
In 14 of their 15 meets, the Blue Devils scored at least 100 points, beating their opponents by at least 30 points. The first milestone to be checked off was the title of Union County Conference Champions, which was easily decided after Westfield destroyed every competitor in the county: Union, Governor Livingston, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Cranford, New Providence, Summit, and Oratory Prep.
This was the Blue Devils’ fourth consecutive conference title.
Next, came the Union County championship meet, where the Blue Devils departed with a margin of 61 points. Westfield set three county records: the 200 medley relay, with Swenson, Pierce, senior tri-captain Hudson Wilcomes and Duke University-commit Owen Waibel, setting a time of 1 minute and 34.11 seconds; the 200 freestyle relay, with Wilcomes, Swenson, Waibel and senior tri-captain Michael Fisher, setting a time of 1:26.54; and the 100 backstroke, where Pierce set a record of 50.84.
This was the Blue Devils’ fourth consecutive county title.
“We are always trying to get better and stay consistent through supporting each other so we can set new records. They are meant to be broken,” said Waibel.
Consistency.
All the meets thus far – even against other state-ranked opponents like Bergan Catholic and Christian Brothers Academy – had been mere child’s play for the Blue Devils. The real challenge would come in the North 2, Public A Sectional Tournament final against Bridgewater-Raritan. In the past 15 years, these two mighty swim programs feuded 10 times for this trophy, and the 92-78 final score favoring Westfield ties the overall series record, 5-5.
This was the Blue Devils’ fourth consecutive sectional title.
Nothing could stop this machine of a team from taking home a ring. Their final team meet against Hillsborough on Feb. 23 was a royal demolition, 103-67.
This was the Blue Devils’ 3rd consecutive Group A title, and 29th for the program, the most in any program across the state.
“Nothing will really beat the thrill of competition, but overall it’s going to be the little things that I miss the most: the drives from the high school to the YMCA after school, listening to music on the bus and in the locker room before and after meets, and of course, Coach Knight’s speeches. This team has meant a lot to me. At the end of the day, we are a family, and once you’re on this team, you are a part of that family forever,” said Pierce.
Family. Forever.
The only meet left was the Meet of Champions. For the Westfield swimmers on the qualifying relays, they chose to swim in the relays only. “It shows how much of a together-unit this is. Everything we do is together and we really focused on those relays at MOC’s, rather than swimming our individual events. That teamwork is what allows us to put all of our individual talents together,” said Swenson.
Waibel, Wilcomes, Swenson and Pierce came first place in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:23.78. The state champions were named first-team all state, and received All-American Honors; however, most importantly, this squad broke the WHS record that was previously set in 2022.
In the 400 freestyle relay, Waibel, Wilcomes, Pierce and Fisher came in first place with a time of 3:03.59, destroying the previous WHS record by almost five whole seconds in accompaniment with being dubbed First-Team All State, and receiving All-American Honors.
Although the 200 medley relay of Pierce, Swenson, Wilcomes and Waibel, placed second at the MOC, their time was awarded Third-Team All State and has a possibility of receiving All-American Honors. Despite the tang of disappointment for this, earlier in the season against CBA, on Jan. 15, this group broke the eight-year standing WHS record with a time of 1:33.72.
“It puts us on the top of the mountain with the greats of Westfield swimming. We now hold a majority of the record board and the majority of the top 15 list. Owning all three relays myself is truly an unbelievable experience. It still doesn’t feel real. There were so many legendary swimmers and teams that came before us, but to be on top of that record board, it’s really special,” said Wilcomes.
In addition to breaking all of the relay records this season, Pierce broke the 100 butterfly record with a time of 50.60 during the sectional final, surpassing Waibel’s record in the 2023-24 season. Waibel couldn’t complain though.
Waibel broke his own record in the 50 freestyle three times this season with a final time of 20.40, and broke his own record in the 100 freestyle four times this season with a final time of 44.96. Waibel was named First-Team All State for the 50 free, and Union County Swimmer of the Year.
With the end of this undefeated season, the Blue Devils mark a 45-0 win streak over the past three seasons, and a 59-1 record over the past four years. In hopes of continuing this excellence, Knight will once again aid his team in striving for greatness.
“As it relates to next year, it’s obviously going to be a new chapter. Each year is its own microcosm. So, the goals first and foremost will be to see the development of the younger guys, getting them to truly buy in and show them it’s their time to step up. What comes next year is not written in stone. Our times now, can change and that development both physically and mentally is going to be the key,” said Knight.
The 2024-25 season leaves an indelible mark on the program. Knight said, “I knew we had the ability to truly be the best team that Westfield swimming has ever had.” And there is no doubt that the senior leadership– in and out of the pool– was the cornerstone of their extraordinary season, propelling the team to unprecedented heights.
“Something I’ll miss the most is putting on some music, getting loud for practice just with my boys and tearing up the water preparing for big meets. It’s a really special feeling that I’ll never be able to get back. But, I really put my all into Westfield swimming and I think leaving with a legacy I’m proud of is something that I’ll carry with me forever,” said Wilcomes.
Swenson said, “[The program] taught me the value of working toward a goal and being patient to achieve that.”
As Westfield is recognized as “Swim Team of the Year” by Nj.com, it’s clear that the foundation of this achievement lies in the leadership, passion, and dedication of the 2025 graduating class. Their legacy will inspire future generations to chase greatness, just as they did.
“We became a dynasty, and cemented ourselves in history,” said Wilcomes.
