Swimming Falls to Bernards
The boys’ and girls’ swim teams both fell to conference foe, Bernards, on Tuesday, January 14, at Somerset Hills YMCA.
In a matchup of unbeaten opponents on the girls’ side, it was the Mountaineers who bested the Knights by a score of 116-54. With only one more divisional meet, Bernards has a clear path to the division title.
“It was a tough loss, for sure,” said GSB head coach Nolan Silbernagel. “We knew whoever won this meet was probably going to claim the division title, and unfortunately we came up a bit short. However, it was definitely not due to lack of effort, as many of our girls had personal best times, and our relays went the fastest they have gone all year, but they are an outstanding team and hard to beat.”
Becca Michaels ‘20 was a bright spot for the Knights, winning the 200 freestyle (2:03.04) and 100 backstroke (1:05.16). Having individual second-place finishes for Gill were sisters Maddie (200 individual medley) and Olivia (50 freestyle) Soultanian ‘22. The Soultanians, Michaels, and Laura Howard ‘21 teamed up to grabbed second place the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
“I hope that the girls do not get discouraged by this defeat, and instead use it as motivation to make sure we accomplish the rest of the goals we set for ourselves this season,” said Silbernagel.
Things were not any easier on the boys’ side for GSB, as the Knights fell 113-43. Rob Brandl ’20 picked up a pair of second-place finishes (200 freestyle, 100 freestyle), and fellow senior Jonathan Osma grabbed another second place (100 backstroke). Brandl, Osma, Adrian Massuet ‘20, and Jake Baber ‘21 also took second in the 200 freestyle relay.
“Despite the score, the boys really did swim fast and had a lot of season-best times,” said Silbernagel. “I think this is a good sign as we head into championship season.”
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.