Click continue reading for my analysis and picks of the meets in round 2 of the state swimming tournament.
Well the cat didn’t stay in the bag too long. By now I think everyone knows the worst kept secret in the world, so….
State! State! State!
Round 1 Retrospective
This is swimming, not the NCAA tournament so it didn’t surprise me that there were no upsets in the first round.
Both Fair Lawn teams had great seasons. Making the state tournament is an accomplishment, so Rick Kelly getting both his teams into states was remarkable. There’s no shame in losing because the journey to get to states was the thing that team will remember. River Dell also lost. Eilish Devine has had a great career in becoming one of the best distance swimmers in the county.
On the boys side, Northern Highlands’s run came to an end against Tenafly. I was at the meet and there was definitely some emotion on the deck even though I didn’t see any tears. Lucas Morgan and Zach Thomas went out on a high note like all their seniors. I could go on and on about that meet because both sets of parents are great (rare). What actually happened in the pool wasn’t a surprise because Tenafly was the better team going in. Northern Highlands was looking for little victories and I think they got a bunch.
Round 2
Here’s the slate of meets on the schedule for tomorrow.
Boys
North 1, Division A
(3)Randolph vs. (2) Ridgewood, 6 P.M. at Passaic Tech
My Pick: As much as I love the kind and friendly service at the Randolph Diner, I have to take the Maroons in this matchup. Ridgewood survived the wrath of Mark Samolin and Montclair in their 30-point win, so I don’t see how Randolph poses a huge threat. Ed Kim won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke in their victory. Westcott took the butterfly and Evan Fischer won the 500 just as they were supposed to.
North 1, Division B
(1)Summit vs. (4) Tenafly, 3:30 P.M. at Summit YMCA
My Pick It would be easy for me to pick Summit and call it a day, but I’m obviously a coward who values the relationship I have with the Tenafly program to have the nerve to pick against them. No, honestly I think Tenafly can win this meet. A few other coaches agree with me on this one.
(2) Demarest vs. (3) Mountain Lakes, 4 P.M. at Lodi Boys and Girls Club
My Pick: EVAN STARR. Nuff’ said. I just realized by picking Tenafly and Demarest, I’m predicting a rematch of last year’s (not this year) most controversial meet. I’m totally rooting for some parents slinging mud (and brownies) even though the only Demarest parent I’ve met is Phil Paspalas, and that’s only because I’ve talked to him on a professional basis a bunch of times.
Girls
North 1, Division A
(3) Ridgewood at (2) Montclair, 8:30 P.M. at Montclair State University
My Pick: Ridgewood’s girls were totally underrated all year, so I’m thinking they’ll take down Montclair. Coach Keith Cook, getting his masters, is going to be a busy man tomorrow night going from the boys meet at 6 to the girls meet at 8:30 on two different sites.
North 1, Division B
(1)Northern Highlands vs. (4)Demarest, 4 P.M. at Lodi Boys and Girls Club
My Pick: This meet in general will be cool because they’re structuring it like a dual meet with Mountain Lakes’ boys taking the place of Northern Highlands’ boys. Right here, I’m taking Northern Highlands. I just don’t see an upset from Demarests’ girls coming with the Bachs, Grady, Wolf, McElwain and Austin freakin’ Mateo on the prowl.
(3) Ramapo vs. (2) Mountain Lakes, 2:15 P.M. at Lakeland Hills YMCA
My Pick: I’m pretty sure I’d get trampled by the Ramapo mob if I didn’t pick them here, so I will because I’m pretty sure no one’s life is hanging in the balance and don’t need a rush of e-mails flooding my inbox detailing how incompetent I am. Obviously I’m kidding just in case that sounded mean. I actually spoke to one of the Po-rents this afternoon and he said the team was trying to motivate their B and C-level swimmers to get those valuable third and fourth place finishes. I think that’s what the meet is going to come down to, so let me attempt to get into coach mode for a second and motivate the people at Ramapo with a rousing speech.
Here we go:
*Hey, Ramapo remember that time you beat High Point in the state tournament? That felt good didn’t it, winning? I want you to hold onto that feeling and never let it go because we all know how bad losing sucks.
One day you may find yourself homeless in an alley telling your imaginary friend that the day your life turned for the worst was the day you lost to Mountain Lakes. Yes, if you lose you will end up homeless, mentally unstable and begging for nickels. When you get onto the deck, I want you to remember what you’re fighting for. I want you to remember that you’ll never feel an ounce of happiness again if you lose. Winning is everything and I don’t care if you have to lie, cheat or steal to achieve victory. Bill Gates, Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire and Rafael Palmeiro all made millions off of cheating and stealing other peoples’ ideas. Be like them and be winners.
Hoo-rah!*
Okay, on that weird note I’m out. See you guys again on Wednesday so happy Valentines Day and enjoy the meets.
Adios swimigos.