The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. - The weather outside was cold and dreary but inside Tokash pool at the Morris Union Jointure Center, it was tropical and thrilling as New Providence swam to a double victory against area rivals Oak Knoll and Oratory Prep.

NP Coach Walter Kempner said before the meet he “always looks forward to swimming against these local teams.”

“The kids get to see their friends and they have a lot of fun,” Kempner said. “Both teams are strong competitors so we should see a good meet.”

The New Providence boys team (5-4) out-swam a smaller Oratory Prep squad (2-5) coached by New Providence alum and record-holder, Priscilla Barletta, 104 to 60. 

Oratory, led by Brendan Koziol, Max Picut, Teddy Feltes and Jason Steinberg, took an early lead, winning the first event, the 200-yd medley relay.  But the Pioneers came back to win the next four events:  Harry Clewell won the 200-yd freestyle and 100 yd butterfly events, while  Lloyd Goldstein won a tight race in the 200-yd Individual Medley, just touching out Picut.

“I didn’t expect to win”, Goldstein said. “I heard a lot of cheering in the breaststroke, so I figured it was close.  I just put my head down and swam as fast as I could.” 

Dan Patel took the 50-yd free,  just beating Oratory’s Connor Gilheany.  Oratory then came back with wins in the 100-yd free and 100-yd breaststroke from Jason Steinberg.  Koziol swam to another win in the 100 yd back.  New Providence’s J.R. O’Connor had a great meet with a decisive win in the 500-yd free and teaming up with other Pioneers, Brendan Turner, John Vetter and Clewell, the Pioneers won the 200-yd freestyle relay. Turner, Stefan Olesnyckyj and Vetter also added a win in the 400-yd free relay. 

The girls meet was closer with New Providence (7-3) coming out the victor over Oak Knoll (2-4-1) by a score of 99-77, with several close finishes.

The Pioneers won most of the events in the first half, with the 200-yd medley relay team of Lucia Donnelly, Isabelle Malinowski, Kelly Carroll and Nicole Kelly taking first.  Erica Worth won the 200-yd freestyle, just out-touching Oak Knoll’s Caroline Watt and led a 1st-2nd-3rd sweep in the 100-yard fly with teammates Julianna Ruta and Kelly.  

New Providence also swept the 200-IM with Sarah Misiukiewicz winning and Megan Sullivan and Caroline Van Kimmenaede taking 2nd and 3rd place. Isabelle Malinowski completed the Pioneer first half dominance with a close win in the 50-yd freestyle over Audrey Picut of Oak Knoll. 

Oak Knoll fought back with a series of victories in the second half of the meet, led by Kathleen Miszkiewicz who won both the 100-yd freestyle and 100-yd backstroke. She also anchored the 200-yd freestyle relay with teammates Picut, Caroline Watt and Gabby Monetti, as well as the 400-yd freestyle relay with teammates Picut, Maggie Miszkiewicz and Watt. 

Watt dominated in the 500-yd freestyle, while Carroll rounded out the New Providence victories, leading teammates Emily Erdenberger and Kim Morecraft in a 1-2-3 sweep of the 100-yd breast. 

Kempner was pleased with his team’s performance.

“Oak Knoll has some real quality swimmers and some races were really tight,” Kempner said. “The close score reflects this. I’m really proud of our boys to have won this meet by a large margin.  Oratory always has a tough team, so this shows how far our guys have progressed.” 

New Providence takes on Plainfield on Thursday. Oak Knoll will face North Hunterdon on Friday and Oratory swims Summit also on Thursday.