Swimming Sweeps Belvidere on Senior Knight
The boys’ and girls’ swim teams ended their first-ever season in the Skyland Conference on a high note by sweeping Belvidere on Wednesday, January 29.
The win was even more special as the meet served as “Senior Knight” to the 11 seniors on the two rosters. All the seniors were honored during the break in the middle of the meet with posters, flowers, and signed kickboards by their teammates.
The girls defeated the County Seaters, 95-70, to improve to 6-1 on the season. Becca Michaels ’20 had an especially memorable meet, winning the 100 breaststroke in a school-record time of 1:19.19. With this record, Michaels now holds every swimming school record at Gill. She was also victorious in the 200 individual medley (2:20.71).
Another double-winner for GSB was Maddie Soultanian ’22, winning the 50 freestyle (26.68) and 100 backstroke (1:08.53). Laura Howard ‘21 was the other individual winner for the Knights, dropping an incredible 13 seconds off her best time to win the 500 freestyle (6:35.00).
The relay teams of Michaels, Soultanian, Howard, and Olivia Soultanian ’22 were victorious in the 200 freestyle (1:52.41) and 400 freestyle (4:08.19) relays.
The boys’ team defeated Belvidere, 85.5-64.5, to end their regular season on a two-game winning streak. Leading the way for Gill were Robert Brandl ’20 and Jonathan Osma ’20, winners of two events each. Brandl touched first in the 200 freestyle (2:12.81) and 100 butterfly (1:01.47), while Osma was victorious in the 200 individual medley (2:27.12) and the 100 backstroke (1:06.88). Also winning an individual event for Gill was Adrian Massuet ’20 in the 100 breaststroke (1:15.15).
Brandl, Osma, Massuet, and Jake Baber ’21 teamed up to also take first place in the 200 medley (1:57.79) and 200 freestyle (1:44.92) relays.
“I could not be happier to send off this incredible group of seniors with a win,” said head coach Nolan Silbernagel. “Every member of the team stepped up and swam well to secure these victories, and we hope to carry this momentum into the Prep Championships and the Non-Public B State tournament.”
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.