Girls’ Swimming Remains Undefeated; Boys Come Up Short
The girls’ swim team improved to 4-0 after defeating Franklin, 58-34, on Wednesday, January 8, at Rutgers University.
Leading the way for GSB were double winners Rebecca Michaels ’20 and Maddie Soultanian ’22. Michaels touched first in the 50 (27.28) and 100 freestyle (1:01.25), while Soultanian won the 200 individual medley (2:31.15) and 100 backstroke (1:09.37). Also grabbing first place for the Knights were Olivia Soultanian ’22 in the 200 freestyle (2:20.25), Annie Chowansky ‘22 in the 100 butterfly (1:17.66), and Laura Howard ’21 in the 500 freestyle (7:02.58).
Gill was also victorious in all three relays. The team of Scooter Hulsen ’22, Kelsey Breuer ’20, Ella Quincy ’22, and Howard won the 200 medley relay in a time of 2:15.23. The Soultanian sisters, Chowansky, and Michaels teamed up to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:58.96), and the Soultanians, Michaels, and Howards won gold in the 400 freestyle relay (4:25.63).
“The girls swam well coming out of a long winter break, so I am happy with their overall performance,” said head coach Nolan Silbernagel. “We are one of three teams in the entire Skyland Conference to remain undefeated, and that is a true testament to the girls’ work ethic and talent.”
Things were a bit tougher on the boys’ side, as the Knights fell to the Warriors, 72-22.
The highlight of the meet came from Jonathan Osma ’20, winning the 100 backstroke in 1:06.81. Second place finishers included Rob Brandl ’20 (100 butterfly), Adrian Massuet ’20 (100 breaststroke), and the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams of Osma, Brandl, Massuet, and Jake Baber ’21.
“Franklin has some standout middle-lane swimmers; some of the best in the entire conference,” said Silbernagel. “I am proud of how our boys never gave up and that they fought until the end. I am confident their time to shine is coming soon.”
The Knights next hit the water on Tuesday, January 14, against Skyland Conference power Bernards. The competition will have heavy implications on the divisional standings as both girl programs will enter the meet undefeated.
Gill St. Bernard's School
Gill St. Bernard’s is a private, coeducational day school for students age three through grade 12, located in suburban New Jersey. Each of the three school divisions provides a rigorous, meaningful, and age-appropriate curriculum, and all students benefit from the environmental learning opportunities that exist on our 208-acre campus.