Montclair HS swim team undefeated as Essex County Championships draw near

MONTCLAIR — The 2019-2020 season is proving triumphant for the Montclair High School Mounties swim team. After jump-starting the season by delivering a rare loss to the boys of Seton Hall Prep, the Mounties are plunging through a winning streak.  In coach Koenigfest’s words, “The season couldn’t be going any better. The boys started out strong with that first victory ever in regular season competition (against Seton Hall). The girls also had a strong win against Mount Saint Dominic, and we’ve been holding our pace ever since, and not letting the foot off the pedal.”

This season’s consistent high performance has handed the Mounties seven decisive victories, boding well for the Essex County Championship Meet on Jan. 20. The boys topped 100 points in the past four meets, and the girls topped 100 points in three of the past four. Looking ahead, Coach K states, “We have a big test on Thursday with Newark Academy” who is also undefeated. “They have real strong swimmers, I’m sure for the girls, it’s going to be their hardest meet of the year but I know they are ready.” Last year, the Mountie girls came in second to Newark Academy in the County Championship meet.  But Coach K states, “This is the strongest the girls have been since 2015. The team as a whole is working so well as a cohesive unit this year, everyone is contributing. These kids really want to win, they are determined and they work really hard. They are all just moving really smoothly together at this point.” All indicators point to some big wins ahead for the boys and girls of the Montclair High School swim team.

Here are the results of the last few meets

On Dec. 17, the Montclair Mounties boys and girls beat Columbia High at Montclair State University Panzer pool with a final score of 99 to 71. The girls placed first in four individual events. Mia Padberg, senior, placed first in the 200 IM (1:47:37). Ela Habian, freshman, placed first in the 100 fly (1:01:05) and the 100 back (1:00:72). The girls also placed first in the 200 medley and the 400 free relays.

The boys squad won handily with a final score of 113.5 to 56.5. The Mounties placed first in several events. Kal Sobier, a freshman, placed first in the 200 free. Jarrett Driever, a junior, placed first in the 200 IM and the 100 back. Tommy White, a senior, placed first in the 100 fly (52.75). Spyros Salatas, a senior, took the 100 free (53.99). Leo Powers placed first in the 100 breast. The boys also placed first in the 200 medley and 400 free relays.

On Dec. 19, at MSU Panzer pool, the Montclair Mounties Swim Team made easy work of defeating West Orange High School. The girls final score was 114 to 56. First-place winners notably included several promising freshmen. Winners were Mia Padberg, a senior, in the 200 IM (2:21:78), and the 100 free (50:04), Sarah Miller, a freshman, in the 50 free (27:78), Ela Habian, a freshman, in the 100 fly (1:00:93) and the 100 back (1:00:26), and Salma Benchekroun, a freshman, in the 500 free (5:30:16).

The boys final score was 131 to 39. First-place winners were Kal Sorbier, a freshman, in the 200 free (1:53:06), Tommy White, a senior, in the 200 IM, Mizell McEachin, a junior, in the 50 Free (23:44), Spyros Salatas, a senior, in the 100 fly (56.84), Justin Ellis, a senior, in the 100 free (57:88) Alex Petroff, a junior, in the 500 free (5:16:63) and the 100 back (57:36), and Jarrett Driever, a junior, in the 100 Breast. The boys also placed first in the 200 medley and the 400 free relay.

On Jan. 7, James Caldwell High School met the Mounties at MSU Panzer pool but were no match for the undefeated team. The boys walked away with a final score of 120-50. First-place winners were Alex Petroff, a junior, in the 200 free (1:59:15) and the 100 back (1:02:98), Jarrett Driever,a jJunior, in the 200 IM (2:10:50), Roman Miklaszewski, a senior, in the 50 free (25:75), Tommy White, a senior, in the 100 fly (53:84), Justin Ellis, a senior, in the 100 free (52:18), and  Logan Driever, a freshman, 500 free (5:28:27). The boys also placed first in both the 200 medley and the 400 free relays.

The girls squad’s final score was 103 to 67. First-place winners were Salma Benchekroun, a freshman, in the 200 free in (2:10:50) and the 500 Free (5:48:63), Mia Padberg, a senior, in the 200 IM (2:31:11), Ela Habian, a freshman, in the 100 fly (1:01:24) and the 100 Back (1:02:68) and  Lilly Foung, a sophomore, in the 100 breast (1:14:68). The girls also won the 200 IM and the 400 free relays.

On Jan. 10,  Glen Ridge High School attempted to break the Mounties’ winning streak at the MSU Panzer Pool but was no match. The Mounties dove in to their sixth  win of the season. The boys final score was 125 to 45. The Mounties took first-place position in nine of the 11 events. First-place winners were Spyros Salatas in the 200 free (1:50:19) and the 100 Free (51:57), Jarrett Driever in the 200 IM (2:06:18) and the 500 free (5:05:18), Tommy White, 50 free (22:94) and,  Leo Powers,a sophomore, in the 100 Breast (1:08:15). The boys also finished first in the 200 medley and the 400 free relays.

The Montclair High School girls comfortably edged out the Glen Ridge girls, 108 to 62. The Mountie girls placed first in 10 of 11 events. First-place winners were Ela Habian in the 200 free (1:57:82) and the 500 free (5:40:09), Mia Padberg in the 200 IM (2:26:39), Sol Jordan,a sophomore, 50 free (27:71), Devon Muldoon, a junior, 100 free (55:13) and 100 back (1:02:79), and Lily Foung in the 100 breast (1:16:13). The Mountie girls also took first place in the 200 medley and the 400 Free relays.

Upcoming Meets:

Thursday, Jan. 16 at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.

Monday, January 20, Essex County Championship Meet: 9 a.m. at NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology)

Friday, January 24: Milburn High School at MSU Panzer Pool

February 5-7, 10-14 State Tournament