The Westfield Blue Devils, ranked No. 1 in the NJ.com Top 20, cemented their status as swimming royalty by securing their fourth consecutive Union County Championship. Fueled by four race victories, including three new county records, they outperformed their competition with a total of 432 points. Highlights include Owen Waibel's record-breaking performances in multiple relays and individual events, solidifying his place as a swimming legend.
With every competition, the Blue Devils – ranked No. 1 in the NJ.com Top 20 – continue to solidify their legacy as the most illustrious swimming program in state history. Excellence is an inherent expectation for them every time they enter the pool, regardless of their opponents, but especially when facing local rivals.
On Sunday at the Jersey Aquatic Center in New Providence, the current group of Westfield seniors secured their fourth county crown, leaving the program with a trophy every winter they competed. Behind four race victories, including three new county records, Westfield amassed 432 points to once again hoist the Union County Championship trophy in a meet that witnessed six races rewriting history. \'It's a crazy experience competing at this meet as a Westfield swimmer. We just want to win together so bad,' Westfield senior Hudson Wilcomes said. 'We are such a family here and we celebrate one another like a family would.' \Last winter, Westfield senior Owen Waibel established four Union County meet records. It was one of the most remarkable performances of the decade, anywhere in the state, and somehow, Waibel managed to surpass his own achievement. Alongside Danny Pierce, Hudson Wilcomes, and Logan Swenson, the Blue Devils quartet shattered the medley relay record at 1:34.11. Waibel, as part of a dramatic closing surge in the opening race, clocked a 19.78 clip as the anchor, leaving spectators on the deck in awe for the remainder of the day. The victory was 0.27 seconds quicker than Summit, which set the tone for the championship meet. 'I was fired up. I saw the guy swimming next to me and all I could think about was catching him. Those kind of races make swimming so great and so memorable,' Waibel said. \Waibel anchored the first-place finish in the record-breaking 200 freestyle relay at 1:26.54 with a 20.54 clock-out alongside Wilcomes (21.98), Michael Fisher (22.14), and Swenson (21.88). Waibel also secured the win in the 100 freestyle at 46.50. Westfield’s Pierce made his mark with a Union record in the backstroke. An exceptional performer in the event, Pierce led the pack with an unforgettable 50.84 punch. Westfield added four second-place finishes and two bronzes to fend off No. 14 Summit, which garnered 371 points. 'It’s been a different challenge for us to overcome every year,' Waibel said. 'It wasn’t going to be easy today for sure against Summit, but our guys really wanted to win. To get this trophy in my final year makes it that more special, I’m so happy for our team.'\In a showdown between two meet record-breakers as the anchors, Westfield’s Pierce attempted to chase down Summit’s Yehor Maistruk with a 46.75 clip, but came up just short in an intense effort. Despite the meet already being clinched by Westfield, the natatorium was abuzz due to the impressive closing act. Maistruk finished the relay with a 47.67 touch-out and was joined by Kyle Dripchak (48.53), Ryan Fox (48.52), and Charlie Moon (47.47) in the victory. Maistruk, in his first season with the Hilltoppers, collected two meet records. He touched the wall at 1:50.97 in the individual medley for the gold medal finish, then followed that up with a 55.12 clip in the breaststroke. Gov. Livingston’s Caden Wong also set a meet record of his own, clocking in at 49.21 in the butterfly. \Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s Harrison McClure triumphed in the 200 freestyle at 1:43.47. His teammate, Dylan Condell, raced to a 21.63 touch-out in the 50 free for the win. Oratory’s 274 points were good enough for third place, a testament to their strong showing with placements in four races
Swimming Westfield Blue Devils Union County Championship Owen Waibel Hudson Wilcomes Danny Pierce High School Sports NJ.Com Top 20 Meet Records
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