Columbia HS swim teams making solid waves this season

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – The Columbia High School boys’ and girls’ swim teams, under head coach Maggie Keenan, are enjoying fine seasons this winter.

The girls’ team will look to defend its Super Essex Conference/Essex County championship this Monday, Jan. 21, at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark. The girls’ team won the SEC/Essex County title last year for the first time since 1983.

The girls’ team had a recent 7-2 record. Maya Glenn and Addie Weiner have been fine additions and have helped to make up some of the strength that the team lost from last year, noted Keenan. “Our relays still remain strong, both in the medley and freestyle events,” Keenan said. “The girls have had some close meets (Livingston, Caldwell). It is a truly a team effort this year.”

Keenan is looking forward to seeing what Katharina Dowlin, Annabelle Jin-Hendel, Gabby Hayek and Maya Glenn can do this year at the county meet. “We have strength in strokes this year and across the board at every grade level,” Keenan said.

Returning everyone from last year, the boys’ team was off to a 6-3 record. The team also gained a freshman, Issac Ortiz, who is scoring a lot of points.

The standouts for boys are Declan Lynch, Aidan Dwyer and Thaddeus Bernard.

“The boys’ team has a lot of strength across all areas and strokes,” Keenan said. “(They are a) hard-working and dedicated group.” Keenan is looking forward to the boys’ team to score a lot of points at the county meet. She also is excited to see how Declan scores.

  Columbia High School swimming