The YMCA pool erupted with chants, cheers and splashes as the Westfield boys competed in their first dual meet of the season and the girls competed in their second. The pool stands were packed to the brim with Westfield fans who brought the energy for the Blue Devils, but no one cheered louder than the boys on the pool deck, who were waiting to hop in the water.
“We like to keep it fun,” said junior Ben Nematadzira. And that is exactly what the boys did in their dominating 116–54 win on Tuesday against Oratory Prep. The girls matched the same energy as they obliterated Oak Knoll, 132–38.
Out of the 12 events, the boys only lost two, the 500 free and the 100 breast. However, the girls had a clean sweep as they placed first in every event.
The most thrilling event was the boys 500 free, a battle between an Oratory Prep swimmer and sophomore Wes Young who came up short by fewer than three seconds. Although Oratory Prep pulled out an impressive win in this event and one other, it would not be enough to save them from the Blue Devils.
The boys defeated the Rams to open their season and set the tone for the rest of the year. “[This meet] was a good first step, but it’s just one meet and we are looking to build from this,” head coach Jeff Knight said. “It’s a good first one to get the cobwebs out of the way.”
“For some guys, it was their first time in the water in a high school meet,” said Knight, but it did not appear to faze them as they were able to continuously rack up first-place finishes.
Sophomore Danny Pierce had an impressive showing, placing first in the 200 free with a time of 1:52.80. He was also a member of the winning 200 free relay team—alongside juniors Danny McGann and Nematadzira, and sophomore Logan Swenson—and the winning 400 free relay with senior Nathan Welsh and sophomores Michael Fisher and Cole Sharkey.
Pierce said his mind goes blank during races. “I don’t think, I just do,” Pierce said.
The boys were not the only ones who had a big day, as the girls made the Royals question throwing away their swim caps entirely, securing their second win of the season after beating Kent Place in a dual meet last Thursday.
Senior Olivia Ruiz came up big for the Blue Devils where she placed first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:34.04 and was a member of the winning 200 free relay alongside junior Clare Logan and sophomores Chloe Yu and Emily Kapuscinski.
“Having two first place wins today makes me feel really good and this win gives our team confidence for our big upcoming races,” Ruiz said.
The suffocating win was also influenced by standout performances from senior Kate Riordan, who placed first in the girls 50 free with a time of 28.13, and senior Tyler Partridge, who placed first in the 200 free with a time of 2:14.18. The girls swept the 200 free along with many other events as they obtained first, second and third place.
“I’m fortunate to have girls that are focused on what they need to do and do not get sidetracked even when they are winning every event,” said girls head coach Steve Whittington.
Westfield’s competitors will have to beware if the team continues to drown its opponents. The Blue Devils gear up to take down rival Scotch Plains in another dual meet on Dec. 21. “Scotch Plains is definitely a big start on the schedule, it’s a rivalry meet,” said Knight.
