WESTFIELD — The rivalry between the Westfield High School boys swimming team and St. Joseph looked a bit lopsided Thursday afternoon at the Westfield YMCA.
The defending state champion boys dominated the meet, winning nine of 11 events, including all three relays. And Westfield girls (8-0) routed the competition, winning nine of 11 events against Mount St. Mary and sweeping the relays.
“I think they responded well,” said Westfield coach Jeff Knight about his boys. “On Tuesday, against CBA, we didn’t swim what we were capable of. We came in with more focus today. There’s a definite rivalry between the two programs – Westfield and St. Joe’s.”
Westfield’s Tyler Lessner, Matt Daniel and John Lindros each won two individual events for the Blue Devils. Lesser, finished first in the 100 butterfly (54.81) and the 100 breaststroke (1:01.71); Daniel clocked the fastest time in the 50 free (22.37) and the 100 free (48.90).
Lindros clocked 1:43.74 to finish the 200 free first, and 4:54.81 to win the 500 free marathon for Westfield boys.
“We were trying to have a good meet,” said teammate Nick Constantine, who swam on the first-place 400 free relay team (3:20.07). “We really wanted to beat St. Joseph and make a statement — and get some momentum going into the counties.”
Ethan Louie, who won the only two events 34-time Greater Middlesex Conference champion St. Joseph managed to snag, was sanguine about the Falcons’ showing.
“We swam our best,” said Louie after clocking 2:00.63 to finish first in the 200 individual medley, and 55.25 in the 100 backstroke. “Westfield just outswam us today. I definitely tried to lead my team in the relays, but they’re just in better form than us today.”
St. Joseph coach Steve Whittington agreed, commending his opponent.
“We swam a good meet today,” Whittington said, “but Westfield was outstanding in every event. They’re a great team.”
Westfield junior Caroline Baldwin, who placed first in the 50 freestyle (24.36) and the 100 backstroke (57.66), and also swam on the winning 200 medley and 400 free relay teams, was proud of Westfield’s performance.
“I’m happy everyone tried their hardest,” Baldwin said. “We have a few big meets coming up – IHA (Immaculate Heart Academy) and the state tournament. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Teammate Sarah Cronin was another multiple-event winner, placing first in the 200 individual medley (2:15.93) and the 100 freestyle (55.27). As well, she split legs on winning relays.
Ellie Reinhardt also swam on the Blue Devils’ first-place 200 relay (1:44.07) and 400 relay (3:46.18) squads.
“I think as a team, we did well,” said Reinhardt, who won the 200 free (1:57.77). “We were not at our best times at this meet, but everyone definitely gave it their all today.”
Mount St. Mary coach Megan Decker noted that her team did well against the defending state and Union County champion Westfield girls. The Mount Lions won two events – the 100 butterfly and the 500 free.
“They did fine,” Decker said. “We knew coming in it was going to be tough, but we just wanted the girls to swim their hardest for the times.”
Senior Carly Whitmer was happy to give the Mount St. Mary a boost with her first-place finish in the butterfly (58.16).
“I think we did really well,” Whitmer said. “We definitely stepped up to the competition – we never gave up.”
Teammate Katie Fallon won the 500 free with a time of 5:14.58.