Sports
Historic Colts Season Comes to Close in Final
Kinnelon girls swimming falls to state power Mountain Lakes in sectional title meet.
Kinnelon lost to Mountain Lakes, 102.5 to 69.5, in the North 1, Division B State sectional final on Friday, ending a tremendous run that will lay the foundation for years to come.
Kinnelon earned its spot in the final by defeating Ramapo last Friday.
“This is the farthest we've ever been, we've never swam at this level,” said assistant coach Steve Papendick. “Obviously you're never happy to lose, but this is definitely something we can build on.”
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The team the Colts fell to is the defending state champion and a perennial powerhouse. As strong as this Mountain Lakes team is, Kinnelon was still able to put the pressure on them during an 87-83 defeat earlier this season. Kinnelon also finished 33 points ahead of their rivals at the Morris County Championships. The top-seeded Colts put forth a valiant effort at PCTI, but the overall strength of a deep Lakers team was enough to secure the victory. Kinnelon even held the lead midway through the meet, but its performance in the later races contributed to the loss.
Although they were defeated, the season was a victory for the Colts. This was their first-ever sectional final appearance, and the young talent on the roster will have other opportunities to avenge this loss.
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“It means a lot because we've never gotten past the second round of sectionals,” said senior Julia Wrightneour. “We lost by more than we did in the dual meet but it happens. ... We all swam our hardest, it just wasn't in the cards.”
"It's an incredible achievement. This is a young team, but they also benefited from great senior leadership,” said Kinnelon athletic director Scoot Rosenberg. “It's a great experience. To swim versus a powerhouse like Lakes, and to make 'em sweat no less; this sport takes a lot of commitment and I give this team a ton of credit.”
Kinnelon still has a boatload of talent coming back, and Abby Fisher's time of 2:07.32 in the 200 meter I.M. still ranks among the top in the entire state. Kinnelon swimmers will still participate in individual state competition, but as for the team, it finishes 8-3, a mark the Colts have every reason to be proud of. Mountain Lakes will continue its quest for its second consecutive state championship against the winner of the North 1, Division A, Ridgewood.
