On February 28 and March 1 the Bernards High Swim Team concluded what many have considered their fastest season yet, sending the largest team in the 27 years to the 2015 Meet of Champions with four boys and five girls qualifying.

For the boys team, junior Ben Baxter qualified in the 100 freestyle, 100 back and swam in the 200 medley relay event as well as the 200 free relay with teammates Julian Baxter, Ryan Van Dijk, and Alex Kiel. Also qualified for the meet was Bernards record holder Tatiana Prendella competing for the third year in the 200 and 500 freestyle, along with sophomore Megan Sardis in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Both were additionally joined this year by Seniors Isabella St. Onge and Shannon Phillips in the 400 and 200 freestyle relays.

But these frontrunners would not have been able to have their success this year without the hard work and determination exerted by all members of the team. After long hours of practicing and strategizing, the boys team finished their season with seven wins and four losses, placing sixth in the county championships, as the girls team garnered an impressive four wins, one tie and five losses, ending the season seventh in the county championships. In addition to this, a number of female swimmers were both singularly and as a team awarded the accolade of breaking school record this season. The 200 and 500 free relays at Meet of Champions garnered two new school records as well as the record for the 100 Butterfly, which was broken by sophomore Megan Sardis at the Somerset County Championships.

Beyond numbers and statistics, the swim team also participated this year in a number of team-bonding events, whether this be through their volunteering at the YMCA’s Special Olympics, or by dressing up – the boys as the traditional “Bernards Indians” and the girls in American themed clothing – for the County Championships to increase moral and excitement. “Afterall”, sophomore Maria Vazquez said, “at the end of the day the success of our season isn’t defined by the awards and accolades we earn, but instead its about the teamwork and fun that we have brought to everything we do- both in and out of the pool.”