Story by Matt Bove of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Two years out of the winner’s circle may not seem like a long drought for most programs, but for Westfield it qualifies.
Westfield was ready for that to change and the Blue Devils did just that. For the first time since 2023, Westfield, No. 6 in the NJ.com Top 20, won the Union County Championships with 341 team points.
“I’m so proud of all of our girls,” junior Amelia Nath said. “We worked so hard and there is so much love and support on our team. It truly means everything in our races to be able to drop times and make cuts. Without the support, I don’t know what it would be like.”
Summit (323) and Kent Place (322) made it an exciting three-team race. A second-place finish in the 400 free relay by Eva Lubenow, Lily Ricigliano, Gemma Giordano and Kavanagh clinched the team title
“We had some great swims today,” Westfield head coach Steve Whittington said. “This is something the girls have been focusing on all year. We’re very happy that our depth showed up today.”
Westfield was able to hold off Kent Place despite eight first-place finishes for the Dragons.
Kavanagh was the lone first-place finisher for the Blue Devils with wins in the 100 free (51.22) and the 100 back (57.11).
“Everyone really stepped up,” Kavanagh said. “Our ‘B’ and ‘C’ lane swimmers, especially. Everyone is having a lot of fun.”
Nath placed second in the 100 fly (58.29) while Lily Ricigliano was third in the 500 free (5:25.45) to represent Westfield’s other two top three finishers.
“I have gained a lot more confidence,” Nath said. “I have become a lot more prepared for my races because of the support of the girls. I’m not as nervous, which has made me perform better. I am so thankful for that.”
Westfield is the top seed in North 2, Group A entering the state tournament and hopes to continue the momentum.
“I’m really excited to see what we will do in the state tournament,” Kavanagh said. “We’ve had a really great season so far.”
200 MR
1-Kent Place, 1:50.48
2-Cranford, 1:56.05
3-Summit, 1:56.23
200 Free
1-Mary Ferreiro, Kent Place, 1:56.87
2-Amanda Semsel, Summit, 1:57.53
3-Shae Trenery, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 1:59.14
200 IM
1-Ayah Bedri, Kent Place, 2:08.82
2-Alexa Windt, Gov. Livingston, 2:10.72
3-Marija Netrebko, New Providence, 2:12.71
50 Free
1-Elise Li, Kent Place, 24.33
2-Larissa Kavanagh, New Providence, 24.45
3-Isabella Haywood, New Providence, 24.97
100 Fly
1-Marija Netrebko, New Providence, 58.29
2-Amelia Nath, Westfield, 1:00.24
3-Shae Trenery, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 1:00.34
100 Free
1-Jane Kavanagh, Westfield, 51.22
2-Isabella Haywood, New Providence, 54.81
3-Amanda Semsel, Summit, 55.03
500 Free
1-Mary Ferreiro, Kent Place, 5:15.44
2-Samantha Arias, Summit, 5:17.32
3-Lily Ricigliano, Westfield, 5:25.45
200 FR
1-Kent Place, 1:41.02
2-New Providence, 1:41.05
3-Westfield, 1:41.23
100 Back
1-Jane Kavanagh, Westfield, 57.11
2-Larissa Kavanagh, New Providence, 1:00.07
3-Madeline, Minchak, Cranford, 1:00.25
100 Breast
1-Ayah Bedri, Kent Place, 1:05.14
2-Grace Madden, Summit, 1:08.42
3-Marleigh McDonald, Linden, 1:08.65
400 FR
1-Kent Place, 3:37.47