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NEPTUNE — Christian Shenk knew exactly what was at stake every time St. Augustine swimmers stepped up to the blocks for the NJSIAA Non-Public final. It was a chance at history.
The Hermits met their goal, defeating Delbarton, 100-70 for their fourth straight state title. It's the first time St. Augustine has won four in a row, after a three-peat from 2007-09.
"When I was younger, I'd look at Prep and they'd keep winning. But we've done something that has never been done," said Shenk, a Williamstown resident who was first in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle and part of two winning freestyle relays.
"We all came here to continue the legacy, and we all contributed to that. It means something. It feels great."
St. Augustine has won 10 Non-Public championships, six in Non-Public A. This was Delbarton's first trip to a final since winning in 1999.
Green Wave coach Pat Savidge highlighted his 12 seniors, only two of whom – Femi Oshodi and Dalton Brooks – are club swimmers. That group lost in sectional quarterfinals as freshmen and sophomores, and in the semifinal last winter.
Delbarton also ended Chatham's 58-meet winning streak, and wrested the Morris County title from the Cougars for the first time since 2020.
More: Chatham tradition continues, Delbarton begins anew at Morris swim meet
"They're the kids who have seen this program grow," Savidge said. "I know they're upset, but they're proud."
The meet was tied, 31-31, at the break. Oshodi and freshman C.J. Friends went 1-2 in butterfly. Delbarton took a two-point lead into the 100 free, after Brooks and Dom Narduzzi went 2-3 behind Shenk.
But St. Augustine's Frank Ferzetti, Nick Stride and Billy Jenkins swept backstroke. That gave the Hermits a nearly insurmountable 18-point lead.
"It took that determination and perseverance," said senior Luke Bickett, who edged Brooks in the IM and won the 500. "We know what has to get done. We were ready. ... This team has been setting a legacy. It's good to be a part of it."
Medley relay: Delbarton (C.J. Friends, Kerim Mumcuoglu, Femi Oshodi, Dom Narduzzi)1:33.66; 200 freestyle: Christian Shenk (SA) 1:40.03; 200 individual medley: Luke Bickett (SA) 1:54.1; 50 freestyle: Friends (D) 20.87; 100 butterfly: Oshodi (D) 50.08; 100 freestyle: Shenk (SA) 46.02; 500 freestyle: Luke Bickett (SA) 4:38.97; 200 free relay: St. Augustine (Shenk, Mitchell Johnson, Gio Catania, Alex Morrison) 1:26.15; 100 backstroke: Frank Ferzetti (SA) 53.02; 100 breaststroke: Morrison (SA) 57.72; 400 free relay: St. Augustine (Bickett, Jonah Alvarez, Ferzetti, Shenk) 3:09.78.
Team records: St. Augustine 9-0, Delbarton 11-2.
Site of meet: Neptune Aquatic Center. Distances in yards.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: St. Augustine beats Delbarton in Non-Public swimming final
Continue reading...
The Hermits met their goal, defeating Delbarton, 100-70 for their fourth straight state title. It's the first time St. Augustine has won four in a row, after a three-peat from 2007-09.
"When I was younger, I'd look at Prep and they'd keep winning. But we've done something that has never been done," said Shenk, a Williamstown resident who was first in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle and part of two winning freestyle relays.
"We all came here to continue the legacy, and we all contributed to that. It means something. It feels great."
St. Augustine has won 10 Non-Public championships, six in Non-Public A. This was Delbarton's first trip to a final since winning in 1999.
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Green Wave coach Pat Savidge highlighted his 12 seniors, only two of whom – Femi Oshodi and Dalton Brooks – are club swimmers. That group lost in sectional quarterfinals as freshmen and sophomores, and in the semifinal last winter.
Delbarton also ended Chatham's 58-meet winning streak, and wrested the Morris County title from the Cougars for the first time since 2020.
More: Chatham tradition continues, Delbarton begins anew at Morris swim meet
"They're the kids who have seen this program grow," Savidge said. "I know they're upset, but they're proud."
The meet was tied, 31-31, at the break. Oshodi and freshman C.J. Friends went 1-2 in butterfly. Delbarton took a two-point lead into the 100 free, after Brooks and Dom Narduzzi went 2-3 behind Shenk.
But St. Augustine's Frank Ferzetti, Nick Stride and Billy Jenkins swept backstroke. That gave the Hermits a nearly insurmountable 18-point lead.
"It took that determination and perseverance," said senior Luke Bickett, who edged Brooks in the IM and won the 500. "We know what has to get done. We were ready. ... This team has been setting a legacy. It's good to be a part of it."
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Non-Public Final
St. Augustine 100, Delbarton 70
Medley relay: Delbarton (C.J. Friends, Kerim Mumcuoglu, Femi Oshodi, Dom Narduzzi)1:33.66; 200 freestyle: Christian Shenk (SA) 1:40.03; 200 individual medley: Luke Bickett (SA) 1:54.1; 50 freestyle: Friends (D) 20.87; 100 butterfly: Oshodi (D) 50.08; 100 freestyle: Shenk (SA) 46.02; 500 freestyle: Luke Bickett (SA) 4:38.97; 200 free relay: St. Augustine (Shenk, Mitchell Johnson, Gio Catania, Alex Morrison) 1:26.15; 100 backstroke: Frank Ferzetti (SA) 53.02; 100 breaststroke: Morrison (SA) 57.72; 400 free relay: St. Augustine (Bickett, Jonah Alvarez, Ferzetti, Shenk) 3:09.78.
Team records: St. Augustine 9-0, Delbarton 11-2.
Site of meet: Neptune Aquatic Center. Distances in yards.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: St. Augustine beats Delbarton in Non-Public swimming final
Continue reading...
