Lopatcong Invitational Returns After Two Year Hiatus

Belvidere, NJ- The Greater Phillipsburg Swim Team (GPS), formerly Lopatcong Swim Team, a member of the Penn Jersey Swim League (PJSL), held its 46th annual Invitational at the Belvidere Community Pool and Park Saturday, July 9, 2022. The name has changed since the team is relocating from Lopatcong to Phillpsburg, Belvidere is the site for this year since the Phillipsburg pool isn't ready to host meets yet. This year was the first year back after the invitational fell victim to COVID-19 cancellations in 2020, and 2021. The meet was smaller than in the recent past but still hosted seven teams and around 300 swimmers. Athletes, aged 6 to 18, 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, and ducks.

Sean Patterson, head coach of Two Rivers Aquatics summer league and year round USA Swim team and assistant coach for Easton Area High School, shared what it was like to be back at the invitational, “After 2 years off it felt great to have a league-wide competition again. It gave everyone a chance to have a “Championship” style approach to a meet.” Coach Patterson on his team’s performance,”We focused on [stroke relays] to give everyone something different then usual compared to dual meets. Plus everyone loves to swim 25’s or do something weird like spinning onto your back after a dive. Overall it was great to see some of our kids swim three events in 10 minutes and be tough about it.”

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. Experienced swimmers get another opportunity to qualify for the end of season championship meet, chase new personal bests, and beat meet records. Parents and coaches get a chance to show the kids that they’ve still got it. This year one of the more “experienced” 19 and over swimmers, Robbie Haldaman of Easton, suited up to show her grandkids how it's done. Her granddaughter Shae Gonzales, who collected several first place finishes this year, “It was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I didn’t think it was still possible but she really flew out there, and I’m glad I got to see that.”

The competition Saturday was as intense as ever and saw several records fall. Notably the two Boys 15-18 200 Meter relays in which Easton’s combination of Francesco D’Avella, Nicholas Ritter, Daniel Hayes, and Fulvio D’Avella took down both. In the Medley Relay the group managed to shave off over six seconds from the record just set by the Easton team in 2019. In the Freestyle relay they lowered a record set by Palmer that had stood since 2007.

Meet Highlights are below:

Meet Records

• Boys 15-18 200 SCM Medley Relay: N Ritter, F D’Avella, D Hayes F D’Avella, (Easton) - 1:53.32 (old record 1:59.52)
• Mixed 15-18 100 SCM Breastroke Relay: F D’Avella, K Ritter, M Tutko, F D’Avella (Easton) - 1:05.04 (old record 1:05.84)
• Boys 15-18 50 SCM Backstroke: N Ritter (Easton) - 28.21 (tied record 28.21)
• Boys 15-18 200 SCM Freestyle Relay: F D’Avella, F D’Avella, N Ritter, Daniel Hayes (Easton) - 1:42.88 (old record 1:46.44)

High Point Scorers
Boys 15-18: Nicholas Ritter (Easton)
Girls 15-18: Shae Gonzales/ Sovannary Taylor (Easton)
Boys 13-14: Austin Olexa (Greater Phillipsburg)
Girls 13-14: Melanie Rojewski (Hunterdon County)
Boys 11-12: Brody Cullen (Greater Phillipsburg)
Girls 11-12: Lena Watts (Easton)
Boys 10&U: Jackson Troutman (Greater Phillipsburg)
Girls 10&U: Ali Uliana (Easton)
Girls 8&U: Violet Weiler (Easton)
Boys 8&U: Kayden Cullen (Greater Phillipsburg)

Team Placings

1. Greater Phillipsburg Swim Team
2. Easton Aquatic Club
3. Hunterdon County YMCA
4. Two Rivers Aquatics
5. HealthQuest Swim Team
6. Hackettestown West
7. 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 or on Facebook: @pjslswims. New swimmers are always welcome.