As we head into the spring sports season, we wrap up an extremely successful season for the Wayne Valley Girls Swim team! Over the winter, the girls went 6-3 during the regular season, only losing to tough opponents Ridgewood, PCTI, and Wayne Hills. They took third place in the Passaic County Championships and were given a bye in the first round of the state tournament. Sadly, the season came to an end with a loss to Leonia in the quarterfinal round, but the girls overall had a great season.

While this season was the last for seniors Chelsea Anaemeje, Shaynalyn DeSalun, Alex Hohmann, Samantha Maybrown, Chiara Piacientici, Emily Valenzuela, and Grace Weaver, the team proved their depth and strength as the season progressed with strong finishes against both River Dell and Fair Lawn, among many others. Also noteworthy, were the individual successes achieved on the team this year. The team welcomed freshman powerhouse Sarah Rodriguez, a standout athlete who was honored as Passaic County’s athlete of the week this winter. Despite her young age, Rodriguez has achieved immense success—not only on her club team, where she raced in the U.S. Open, but also for Wayne Valley, where she broke not one but three school records! She smashed the previous school records in the 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, and 200 IM. Rodriguez also broke the Passaic County record for the 100 backstroke at the championship meet. 

After this season, the 500 freestyle will certainly feel the absence of senior Grace Weaver. Weaver, who has competed in this event throughout her entire high school career, has gone undefeated for all four years. Like Rodriguez, Weaver is also a record holder at Wayne Valley for several individual events, as well as for her contributions to many relays. Weaver is headed to Rutgers next year to swim for the Scarlet Knights.

Though the regular season did come to a close against Leonia, four swimmers qualified to swim at the Meet of Champions on March 6th in Gloucester, NJ: Rodriguez, Weaver, senior Emily Valenzuela, and sophomore Jennie Mularkey. These four swimmers composed the 200 Freestyle Relay and broke the previous school record. 

With some extremely impressive results over the course of this winter, Wayne Valley Girls Swim Team finishes out yet another record-breaking season. Congratulations to the girls!