Four meets into the 2009-10 season, Summit High's girls swimming squad looks like a force to be reckoned with, as it prepares for its final 2009 opponent, Elizabeth, later this afternoon.
Summit continues its season at Plainfield after the holiday break on Jan. 14.
Summit (3-1) opened the season with a 121-49 victory against in-town rival Oak Knoll on Dec. 1, then placed second behind host Pingry in the Big Blue Tournament with 322 points on Dec. 5. This marked the best finish for a Summit team in the short five-year history of the tournament.
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Summit has won its last two meets: a 100-69 victory against cross-town rival Kent Place on Dec. 7 and a 98-72 win against Mendham this past Thursday.
The victory against Kent Place, combined with the team's earlier win against Oak Knoll, makes Summit city champions this season.
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"This team is the most talented group I have had and has depth from top to bottom," said Summit coach John Ross, who has been at the helm for the past four seasons. "The seniors provide great leadership and I have a group of freshmen who are already making a huge impact."
One of those freshmen, Tasha Kewalramani, is .07 seconds from breaking the school record in the 100 breaststroke, a record that has stood since 1978. Kewalramani recorded a 1:10.77 in the team's only loss of the season, a 98-72 setback to Chatham on Dec. 2.
"Kewalramani was .07 sec away from breaking the school record in the 100 breast stroke with a time of 1:10.77," said head coach John Ross in an e-mail. "This record has stood since 1978."
"I'm certain it will fall before Tasha graduates if not sooner," added Ross.
In the Chatham loss, seniors Carey Fries/KJ Winchell, Kewalramani and freshman Jackie Joffe broke the 200 IM relay-school record, previously set in 2003, with a time of 1:54.87.
2009-10 Summit HS Girls Swimming Team
Seniors (10): Cynthia Steele, Ashley Aaron, Rebecca Carr, Carey Fries, Taylor Martins, Emily Koernig, Ciaran Quille, Laura Schaffer, Allison Sullivan, KJ Winchell. Juniors (19): Keri Enriquez, Amanda Wilson, Kelsey Hurley, Caroline Delaney, Simone Floyd, Kelli Houck, Angelica Hughes, Kelly McAloon, Chase Olcott. Sophomores (16): Brooklyn Baldacci, Christin Martins, Paulina Casey, Claire McKenzie, Kelly Delaney, Jayne Mandel, Kate Correia, Amanda Price, Emma Kramer, Marissa Montero, Julia Barnett, Gianna Calvo, Katherynn Garita, Shannon Maloney, Tyrone Cassidy, Danielle Garrison. Freshmen (14): KC Breen, Catie Currie, Kristen Fedor, Jackie Joffe, Tasha Kewalramni, Katharine Maltese, Grace Newcomb, Jaclyn Karpman, Gretchen Walsh, Christina Tsanas, Felisa Delli Santi, Sarah Runo, Emily White, Marissa Jennings.
