Good evening Lightning Bolts,

We started the season with a tough schedule, facing off against the eventual 2026 league team champion and runner-up in our first two meets. Even though we fought hard and got really close against TRA but still lost, we came back to win five in a row. Against Hackettstown and Hunterdon YMCA I was worried since we were missing so many kids for those meets. In the end though, our depth carried the day, with our unsung heroes stepping up, swimming strong, and securing those two victories. One of the things our coaching staff prides ourselves on, is our ability to get our less experienced swimmers up to speed faster than other teams. It’s one of the reasons why we have had winning records for years.

With our win against HCY, we are 5-2, securing 3rd place in the PennJersey Swim League (PJSL).

• GPS: 338
• HCY: 241

Before getting any further in our shoutouts and coaches’ recognitions, thank you everyone who made last night’s awards picnic so well organized and fun! Some years the coaches are there an hour later still cleaning up, but not tonight. Tonight, I finished tending to a couple of things, turned around, and everything was packed up, thrown away, and ready for the gate closing. So, thank you again. It’s just another sign that beyond any meet score, race place, or time achieved, we are a great team!

Also, attached is the description sheet for the individual awards that were given, and the swimmers who earned them.

Meet Highlights

• 54 Improved Times
• 39% Improvement Rate

Excellence

Paige Nungester: In a quiet, small, suburban/rural, hear the birds chirping type of excitement, area of Hunterdon County, Holland Township, at the end of Paige’s street, there was a bomb threat!! Obviously, authorities closed the area to through traffic, so James and Paige were stuck there for who knows how long, likely to miss the meet. “The response included the FBI, New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, Holland Township Police Department, Lambertville Police Department, Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office, Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management, Hunterdon County Hazmat, Holland Township Fire Department and the Milford-Holland Rescue Squad.” (WRNJRadio.com). However, the “suspicious device” was deemed not suspicious and posed no danger. So, after it was clear this was a false alarm, Paige and James hightailed it to the pool, about a 25 minute drive if you’re going the speed limit (LOL!!). With less than 60 seconds before her race began, Paige ran in, put her stuff down, looked around, put her goggles on…, 20 seconds left…., put her cap on…. 10 seconds left…, ran over to the blocks… 5 seconds…, stepped up…2 seconds…., “Take your mark”..., Beeeeeep!..., and she was off to the races! :) Her dedication, ability to handle pressure, her muscle memory from years of competitive swimming, all kicked in to secure a 2nd place and break up HCY’s 1-2. Great job, Paige!

Bella Zhinin - In the 25 Fly Bella’s goggles fell off. But did she panic? No. Did she try to fix them? No. What did she do? What she is supposed to do, what she was trained to do, keep swimming. :) Well done, Bella!

Alek Chen: Three swims, three wins, three PJSL qualifying times. Good job, Alek.:)

GPS Butterfliers: Up to the Butterfly events we had a lead, but HCY was definitely still in it. With some good races in the Fly events and potentially winning most Free relays, HCY could have definitely closed the gap. It was not to be though. The GPS butterfliers brought the hammer down and put the meet out of HCY’s reach. They won 8 of the 10 Fly races, went 1-2 four times in a row, and out scored HCY 59-26. Way to go, everyone!

Sportsmanship: For demonstrating honor, fairness, and appreciation towards competitors. This could be from shaking hands after a race, to conversations overhead by coaches between competitors, to any other observed actions that may fall into this category.

• Ava Harrison, JoJo Berger, Autumn Kane, Savvy Collins, Zoe Kruckmeyer, Britain Mazzetta, Marcus Oest, Aaric Grant

Team Spirit: For consistent and enthusiastic cheering.

• Dennis Jones, Collin Casey, Ollie Hoch, Ayanna Elston, Julian Vasquez, Baron Harrison, Reagan Van Horne

Full Results are attached.

See you on deck,

Coach Drake