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Sports

Summit Sharks Defeat Local Rival

Swim team defeats Millburn, 265-167.

SUMMIT–Before the Summit Sharks' season began, head coach Ryan Hauptman predicted that his team's toughest opponent would most likely be Millburn's swim team. On Thursday morning at the Summit Family Aquatic Center, however, Hauptman's Sharks started strong and never looked back, defeating Millburn 265-167.

"I really didn't expect this, but I think we matched up really well against (Millburn)," Hauptman said. "I knew coming into the meet that they had beaten East Hanover, which is traditionally a strong team in our league. So we knew Millburn would be good."

Similar to Summit's first meet against Fairfield, the Sharks dominated the freestyle races at the beginning of the competition. This helped the team not only capture an early lead, but also gain confidence and momentum.

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"Once again we started strong with the freestyle," Hauptman said. "If we can continue to do that throughout the year, I think we could do something really special this season."

The Sharks also finished the meet on a strong note, placing first in all seven relays.

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In sports such as football and lacrosse, players often celebrate a victory by pouring water over their coach's head. But in swimming, a team can take a slightly different, more radical, approach.

"After they announced the final score of the meet, the kids were all so excited that they decided to throw me into the pool," a soaking wet Hauptman said. "This was a big win for us. I'm really proud of our kids."

A near 100-point defeat over a talented Millburn squad shows how much the Summit Sharks have improved over the past few seasons.

"When I first got here four years ago, we had a tough time with Millburn," Hauptman said. "So to be at this point–where we are now–is pretty exciting. Everyone pulled together today and we swam as a team."

Summit (2-0) travels to North Caldwell next Tuesday for their 6 p.m. meet.

Sharks v. Millburn Highlights (by age group)

15 and over
Boys:
 Dan Byers finished first in the 50 freestyle (25.08) and third in the 50 backstroke (32.96). Loring Bowen took first place in the 50 backstroke (26.90) and the 50 butterfly (24.68).
Girls: Sarah Runo and Marissa Jennings placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Jane Mandel and Laurel Repsha placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the 50 breaststroke.

13-14 years old
Boys:
Ryan Sebastian and Matthew Stern placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Sebastian also placed first in the 50 butterfly (26.78). Tim Kostolansky finished first in the 50 backstroke (28.33).
Girls: Jackie Joffe placed first in the 50 freestyle (27.18) and the 50 butterfly (28.84). Elizabeth Kulpan and Katie Maltese placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 50 breaststroke.

11-12 years old
Boys:
 Ben Powell finished first in the 50 backstroke (51.18) and third in the 50 freestyle (39.77).
Girls: Angharad Healey placed first in the 100 IM (1:20.77) and the 50 butterfly (35.20). Sandra Bazalar placed first in the 50 freestyle (33.28) and the 50 backstroke (41.06). Juliana Nociari finished first in the 50 breaststroke (44.43). Leila Esposito, Hannah Burke, Kiera Little, and Sandra Bazalar placed first in the 100 freestyle relay (1:11.06).

9-10 years old
Boys:
Jackson Tyler and Deacon Donaldson placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 25 freestyle. Tyler also finished first in the 25 butterfly (16.90), followed by Connor Little in third (29.62). Conor Fagan won the 25 backstroke (18.96), and Noah Ragan placed first in the 25 breaststroke (23.52).
Girls: Katie Samay and Olivia Elko placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 25 freestyle. Samay also placed first in the 25 butterfly (17.86). Hannah Burke took first place in the 25 backstroke (22.42) and second place in the 25 butterfly (20.86).

8 and under
Boys: Will Hedges placed first in the 25 freestyle (18.65) and the 25 butterfly (20.84). Benjamin Campbell, Zowie Vukasinovic, and Owen Healey swept the 25 breaststroke with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place finishes, respectively.
Girls: Grace Davis, Sophie Lusty, and Hannah Ragan placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, in the 25 freestyle. Davis also won the 25 backstroke (24.93).

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