|
Centenary SeaDragons Slepian and Pilgrim become NJ All-Stars
The Centenary SeaDragons Swimming Club, based out of Centenary College in Hackettstown New Jersey, swam to a 14th place overall team finish at the New Jersey Junior Olympic Short Course Swimming Championships held March 20-22 at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center at Rutgers University.
With a team of only 17 swimmers, led by Sarah Slepian of Fredon and Nneka Pilgrim of Hackettstown, the SeaDragons swam away with an impressive 23 Junior Olympic Medals and posted 66 personal best times.
Slepian age 11, with 8 medals, placing her 6th overall for the State High Point award in the 11-12 year old girls division, also scored in the 200 backstroke at The Eastern Zone Championships held in Rochester, New York, to represent New Jersey on their All-Star team, which will challenge 9 other All-Star state teams.
Pilgrim, age 10, swam away with 6 Junior Olympic medals which secured her a 9th place overall High Point finish in the 10 and under girls division also earning her a spot on the All-star team in the 50 yard breaststroke in Rochester.
The SeaDragons were well represented at this year’s Junior Olympics by Christopher Colasurdo of Flanders, Matthew Fernandes, Christopher Giovine, Katie Giovine, Lukas Nagel, Sebastian Rehm of Long Valley, Emily Locascio and Emily Peter of Newton, Anthony and Nicole Rizzo of Green Twsp, Kellie Smigel of Blairstown, Elizabeth Smith of Sparta, Brandon Tutty of Stillwater and Heather Flimlin of Mansfield.
Both Rizzo, who swam outstanding, with five medals and Tutty, with four, were also amongst this year’s top Junior Olympians.
Tutty along with Slepian, were also finalists last June, at the International Age Group Championships held at the Hall of Fame Swimming Pool in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Slepian swept both the 50 and 100 breaststroke against teams from around the world.
Christopher Giovine, of Long Valley, swam to an impressive finish in the finals of the 200 yard breaststroke, despite racing against the states biggest talents outfitted in some of the most sophisticated racing gear currently allowed in swimming. “Any times or records swam in those high tech suits should be consider tainted”, said Giovine.
Fina, the world governing body for swimming, ruled this past Spring to limit the use of these suits and eventfully eliminate these suits which add stability and bouncy to swimmers therefore producing unrealistic best times.
The SeaDragon program, comprised of swimmers throughout the area has been developed out of Centenary College in Hackettstown where a combination of technique, up to date training methods and enjoyment are combined to bring out the talents of every swimmer.
Bill Giovine, Head coach of the SeaDragons attributes the tremendous success of the program to the strong community commitment of Centenary College and the unmatched dedication of its coaching staff. |
NEWS 
