Lopatcong Invitational Swim Meet turns 45

Phillipsburg, NJ- The Lopatcong Swim Team, a member of the Penn Jersey Swim League (PJSL), held its 45th annual Lopatcong Invitational at the Lopatcong Municipal Pool and Park yesterday, July 13, 2019. This year the meet hosted nine teams and over 320 swimmers. Athletes competed in all four racing strokes as well as medleys (all four strokes swam in one race), traditional relays (medley and freestyle), specialty relays (all backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly), and some “masters” races for swimmers 19 and over. Swimmers and their teams are recognized for their achievements with trophies, medals, ribbons, and ducks.

Dennis Drake, head coach of the meet host Lopatcong, and head coach of the Nazareth Easton YMCA Swim Team in the winter, shared what he thinks makes the meet special,”The Lopatcong Invitational is unique in that its been held for 45 years straight, and many swimmers from different teams also know each other as friends. Plus, we have parents and even grandparents who show up and tell me about their memories of the Invitational from the ‘70s and ‘80s, who are now cheering for their kids and grandkids. Since it's geared for summer swimming and steeped in 45 years of tradition, it’s community swimming at it's best”

“Summer swimming is about having fun. It brings kids together, builds friendships, and promotes acceptance,” Richard McCormick PJSL Vice President and meet director. “The uniqueness of having all ages and skill levels on the same team, practicing and competing together can’t be found in any other sport. The sense of community and volunteerism when everyone comes together to run a swim team and a swim meet is something that I love about swimming.”

The meet marks the halfway point in the PJSL season, a series of dual meets that runs from June to the end of July. The size and style of the invitational (multiple teams, multiple heats) prepares newer swimmers for a large-meet format and gives them a chance to compete against swimmers of like speed, and skill level. For experienced swimmers it is another opportunity to qualify for the end of season championship meet, chase new personal bests and beat meet records. This year's meet was as intense as ever and saw several records fall. Notably in the Girls 13-14 50 SCM Breaststroke, the top 2 finishers came in under the old record (2014 Alison Heman 38.03), with Genine Colins (Lopatcong) getting to the wall just ahead of Ava Pektor (Two Rivers).

Meet Highlights are below:

Meet Records

• Boys 15-18 200 SCM Medley Relay: Strawn, D’Avella, D’Avella, Dey (Easton) - 1:59.52 (old record 1:59.84)
• Girls 13-14 50 SCM Breaststroke: Genine Collins (Lopatcong) - 37.93 (old record 38.03)
• Girls 13-14 50 SCM Butterfly: Genine Collins (Lopatcong) - 30.88 (old record 31.06)
• Boys 15-18 50 SCM Butterfly: Brenek Strawn (Easton) - 26.15 (old record 27.24)

High Point Scorers
Boys 15-18: Brenek Strawn (Easton)
Girls 15-18: Maggie Chi (Two Rivers)
Boys 13-14: Nicholas Ritter (Easton)
Girls 13-14: Genine Collins (Lopatcong)
Boys 11-12: Jacob Brunetti (Easton)
Girls 11-12: Sovannary Taylor (Easton)
Boys 10&U: Gavin Brunetti (Easton)
Girls 10&U: Elena Brunetti (Easton)
Girls 8&U: Kara Buglino (Bethlehem)
Boys 8&U: Brody Cullen (Lopatcong)

Team Placings

1. Lopatcong Swim Team
2. Easton Aquatic Club
3. Two Rivers Aquatics
4. HealthQuest Swim Team
5. Hunterdon County YMCA
6. Hackettestown West
7. Bethlehem Township Community Center
8. Nazareth Summer Swim Team
9. Belvidere Swim Team

The Penn Jersey Swim League is a board run, competitive, summer swim league made up of 8 independent clubs. Clubs are open to all area swimmers ages 5 – 19 and the teams work with abilities ranging from novice to advance. Swimmers compete in dual meets, invitationals, and championship meets. Find a club at Pennjerseyswim.com of on Facebook: @pjslswims. New swimmers are always welcome.