The winter sports season has begun, and the OP Swim Team is back in action. The team swam in three meets this December, starting with and meet against Cranford, then Summit, and finally Union. This season, the team faces challenges due to the roster but is ready to overcome the obstacles to achieve their goals.

The team’s first meet was against Cranford. Unfortunately, the team lost a close meet with a score of 98-72. Despite the loss, some hope can be found in the performances of a few swimmers. Sophomore Botond Rice swam an impressive 2:23.60 200 IM, Junior Luke Bernstein swam a 6:02.9 500 Free, and Senior Andrew Meisner went a 2:04.40 200 Free. These small successes give the team hope for the future and empower teammates to train hard for the success of the team.

The team’s second meet was against Summit, a swimming powerhouse. The Rams took other loss, losing 117-52. Again, however, OP swimmers produce some great times. Junior Luke Bernstein swam a 5:51.87 500 Free, Sophomore Sam Ilagan swam a 24.42 50 Free, and Senior Andrew Meisner swam a 2:01.78 200 Free.

In the third and final meet of the month, the OP Swim team seemed to finally gain some steam, crushing Union 112-57. Furthermore, the team produces excellent times over the course of the meet. Sophomore Chase Polito swam a 57.10 100 Free, Sophomore Patrick Herrighty swam a 1:12.50 100 Breast, Junior Luker Bernstein swam a 5:50.50 500 Free.

The OP Swim Team ended December with a record of 1-2. While possessing a seemingly unimpressive record, the team hopes carry their improved times and morale into 2019 and make a run into another state tournament.