Spectacular Showdowns: Unveiling the Highlights and Results of the Morris County Championships!

MORRISTOWN – Kiera Harkins couldn’t help but chuckle. She has been in the pool for three Chatham High School triumphs at the Morris County Championships, and in the audience for many more, cheering for her elder sister Hailey Harkins.

After equaling the meet record in the 100-meter butterfly, Kiera reflected on what she termed the Cougars’ “dynasty.”

The Chatham girls secured their 16th consecutive Morris County team title on Saturday. The Cougar boys claimed their fourth title in succession.

“Watching (my sister) swim, I aspired to be part of this team,” stated Harkins, who secured two individual titles and contributed to two victorious relays on Saturday. “It’s incredible. Chatham has consistently been a powerhouse. There’s no jinxing it.”

Senior Charlie Kulp followed up Harkins’ butterfly meet record with a record of his own. He clinched the fly event in 55.23 seconds, surpassing Mountain Lakes alum Matthew Luciano’s record set in 2011. It marked Kulp’s only individual competition for the county championships, focusing on this milestone.

Equally significant was Chatham qualifying three boys for the last heat – and scoring points from all of them. The Cougars boys had at least one swimmer in the final heat of every event except the 100 free. Not to be outdone, Chatham’s girls qualified several swimmers for each final heat except for breaststroke.

“It demonstrates our strength, the depth,” articulated Kulp, who has committed to Duke University by signing a National Letter of Intent. “Many teams depend on that one exceptional swimmer. It showcases our depth overall, and that’s what enables us to win these kinds of competitions.”

Beware of shattered records!

∎ Mendham senior Kenneth Barnicle aims “to set a goal extraordinarily high, nearly unachievable, and strive for that.” His target on Saturday was to break the NISCA record in the 400-meter freestyle.

Barnicle departed Morristown with two additional Morris County titles – in the short and long races – and a newly established Morris County record of 3:53.33.

However, he was merely three hundredths of a second shy of the NISCA public-school record set by Destin Lasco from Mainland on December 14, 2017. The independent record of 3:50.65 is held by Pingry graduate and 2024 Olympian Matt Fallon from the 2021 NJSIAA Meet of Champions.

A three-time MOC victor, Barnicle is also a three-time double-winner at the Morris County meet. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to swim with Olympian Jack Alexy, another Mendham resident, at Berkeley – where Lasco is currently a graduate student.

“Being that close to the national high school record makes me reflect on all the things I could have improved in the race,” Barnicle mentioned. “But it will also motivate me.”

∎ Morgan Mindrebo didn’t just achieve a personal best of 1:12.38 in the 100-meter breaststroke on Saturday. She didn’t just clinch a Morris County title, either. Mindrebo, a freshman from Morris Knolls, also shattered one of the oldest school records – originating from 1987, prior to head coach Kyle Plucinsky’s birth.

Mindrebo narrowly defeated Hanover Park junior Thi Tran, a double winner last winter, by 13 hundredths of a second.

“She was really close. I could see her,” Mindrebo remarked. “My walls aren’t very strong, but my middle, the swimming segment, was top-notch.”

∎ Morristown senior Jack MacMillan had a chip on his shoulder as he dove into his home pool for the 100 free on Saturday. He hadn’t defended his title in the 50, so MacMillan was resolved to accomplish something notably special in his final individual county event. He broke his own school record while winning the 100 free in 52.29 seconds.

“Last year, I secured the 50. This year, I was determined to claim the 100. I wanted redemption for the 50, and I executed my strategy effectively,” remarked MacMillan, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with Lehigh University. “It’s pretty thrilling to compete against swimmers like (Delbarton’s) Max (Ciechanowski) and (Dom) Narduzzi. They’re quick and young too. I anticipate seeing them at the top of the county.”

∎ Parsippany Hills senior Connor Johnson opted to try something a bit different for his last county meet. Johnson switched to the butterfly and breaststroke, instead of the individual medley. He set school records in both – and led three Vikings swimmers into the top six.

“It’s been a long time coming,” stated Johnson, who signed a National Letter of Intent with Virginia Tech. “I’m pleased with the results.”

Double, no difficulty

∎ Chatham junior Gloria Jeng secured her third consecutive 50-meter free championship on Saturday morning, accomplishing her objective. Jeng returned to seize the 100 free title. Additionally, she participated in the Cougars’ victorious 200 free relay, breaking the host Morristown’s 5-year-old record.

“It feels absolutely incredible,” Jeng expressed. “I was genuinely striving to push through the finish, and maintain a positive mindset heading into (the races); I endeavor to establish a rhythm in my mind. It’s crucial to have for an effective sprint free.”

With a little assistance from my friends

∎ Mountain Lakes sophomore Serena Dickey achieved a new Morris County championship title on Saturday. She triumphed in the 200 individual medley after finishing second to Morris Knolls’ Sophia Yousuf – her LHY teammate – last year. And similar to that event, Dickey drew motivation from countless hours of club swimming alongside Kinnelon senior Ellie De Keukelaere.

De Keukelaere also anchored the Colts’ first-place medley relay.

“It’s enjoyable swimming beside her,” Dickey remarked. “It offers me someone to motivate me to perform my best. It’s a delightful experience.”

∎ Dalton Brooks secured his inaugural county title in the IM. A swimmer since the age of 8, the Delbarton junior was ecstatic to be surrounded by so many familiar faces.

“Having all my teammates present is truly wonderful,” said Brooks, who was raised in Montville. “It’s a swift meet as well. I enjoy being amidst strong competition.”

Girls outcomes

Team scores: Chatham 292; Randolph 121; Morristown Beard 120; Kinnelon and Morristown 119; Mountain Lakes 94; West Morris 85; Morris Knolls 78; Roxbury 62; St. Elizabeth 54; Park Regional 40; Mount Olive 38; Mendham 34; Morris Hills 11; Parsippany Hills and Madison 8; Pequannock 5

Medley relay: 1. Kinnelon (Elena Ivosevic, Kylie Papendick, Anna Kilponen, Ellie DeKeukelaere) 2:04.48; 2. Mountain Lakes 2:07.45; 3. Chatham 2:09.19; 4. Morristown Beard 2:09.42; 5. Morristown 2:09.44; 6. Randolph 2:10.16.

200-meter freestyle: 1. Madeline Crawford (Chatham) 2:06.67; 2. Isla Johnston (Morristown Beard) 2:08.75; 3. Anna Kilponen (Kinnelon) 2:12.19; 5. Lulu Barnard (Mountain Lakes) 2:13.55; 6. Victoria Bono (Mendham) 2:13.66.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Serena Dickey (Mountain Lakes) 2:23.58; 2. Morgan Mindrebo (Morris Knolls) 2:26.29; 3. Ellie DeKeukelaere (Kinnelon) 2:27.47; 5. Danielle Casaba (Mount Olive) 2:30.29; 5. Avery Loock (Chatham) 2:31.98; 6. Julianna Young (Randolph) 2:34.26.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Gloria Jeng (Chatham) 27.0; 2. Maya Weinmann (Morristown Beard) 27.05; 3. Sarah Thomas (Chatham) 27.32; 5. Abby Ford (West Morris) 27.71; 5. Sydney Wright (Randolph) 28.27; 6. Elisa Porebski (West Morris) 28.31.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Kiera Harkins (Chatham) 1:02.17* (previous meet record: 1:02.17, Thi Tran, Park, 2024); 2. Anna Kilponen (Kinnelon) 1:02.56; 3. Thi Tran (Park) 1:02.6; 4. Emily Bohl (Chatham) 1:09.56; 5. Brynn Patarozzi (St. Elizabeth) 1:10.56; 6. Lilia Ushiki (Morristown) 1:11.26.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Gloria Jeng (Chatham) 59.33; 2. Maya Weinmann (Morristown Beard) 59.46; 3. Sarah Thomas (Chatham) 1:00.69; 4. Abby Ford (West Morris) 1:00.91; 5. Elisa Porebski (West Morris) 1:02.23; 6. Indiya Weinmann (Morristown Beard) 1:02.5.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Madeline Crawford (Chatham) 4:24.44; 2. Isla Johnston (Morristown Beard) 4:31.52; 3. Maya Anikiej (Roxbury) 4:38.72; 4. Ellie DeKeukelaere (Kinnelon) 4:40.84; 5. Mariah Quad (Morristown) 4:41.03; 6. Sophie Sanders (Roxbury) 4:42.07.

200-meter free relay: 1. Chatham (Madeline Crawford, Sarah Thomas, Gloria Jeng, Kiera Harkins) 1:47.79* (previous record 1:48.12, Morristown, 2020); 2. Kinnelon 1:54.41; 3. Morristown 1:55.28; 4. West Morris 1:55.89; 5. Randolph 1:56.85; 6. Mountain Lakes 1:57.75.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Kiera Harkins (Chatham) 1:04.47; 2. Danielle Cabsaba (Mount Olive) 1:05.91; 3. Avery Loock (Chatham) 1:06.57; 4. Lulu Barnard (Mountain Lakes) 1:06.8; 5. Indiya Weinmann (Morristown Beard) 1:09.3; 6. Emerson Osean (Morristown) 1:09.61.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Morgan Mindrebo (Morris Knolls) 1:12.38; 2. Thi Tran (Park) 1:12.51; 3. Julianna Young (Randolph) 1:16.6; 4. Kylie Papendick (Kinnelon) 1:19.47; 5. Josie Speace(St. Elizabeth) 1:19.84; 6. Ella Pit (Mendham) 1:20.29.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Chatham (Madeline Crawford, Sarah Thomas, Gloria Jeng, Kiera Harkins) 3:57.7; 2. Morristown Beard 4:09.77; 3. Randolph 4:15.26; 4. West Morris 4:16.78; 5. Roxbury 4:21.73; 6. St. Elizabeth 4:25.01.

Boys’ results

Team tallies: Chatham 299; Delbarton 189; Mendham 147; Morristown 111.5; Parsippany Hills 96; Kinnelon 84; Morris Hills 63; Randolph 59; Roxbury 57; Morris Knolls 45; Madison 37; Mountain Lakes 34.5; Morristown Beard 21; Park Regional 15; Mount Olive and West Morris 13; Parsippany 9; Montville 1

Medley relay: 1. Chatham (Ryan O’Day, Andrew O’Day, Tirian Chang, Charlie Kulp) 1:46.09; 2. Morristown 1:50.11; 3. Mendham 1:50.32; 4. Parsippany Hills 1:50.95; 5. Delbarton 1:51.52; 6. Kinnelon 1:53.33.

200-meter freestyle: 1. Jack Kulp (Chatham) 1:58.13; 2. Anderson Ruhnke (Delbarton) 1:59.42; 3. Nathan Milun (Roxbury) 2:00.56; 4. Brett Davis (Chatham) 2:00.91; 5. Kenny East (Delbarton) 2:01.45; 6. Dimitri Fedorov (Mendham) 2:02.1.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Dalton Brooks (Delbarton) 2:10.88; 2. William von Doussa (Chatham) 2:13.41; 3. Anuthra Abeysinghe (Madison) 2:14.81; 4. Andrew O’Day (Chatham) 2:15.17; 5. Declan Robinson (Chatham) 2:19.07; 6. Ryan Zhang (Parsippany) 2:23.29.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Kenneth Barnicle (Mendham) 23.11; 2. Jack MacMillan (Morristown) 23.61; 3. Dom Narduzzi (Delbarton) 24.06; 4. Max Ciechanowski (Delbarton) 24.15; 5. Sebastian Canosa (Morristown) 24.34; 6. Jon Papendick (Kinnelon) 24.5.

100-meter butterfly: 1. Charlie Kulp (Chatham) 55.23* (previous record: 55.49, Matthew Luciano, Mountain Lakes, 2011); 2. Connor Johnson (Parsippany Hills) 55.74; 3. Sebastian Canosa (Morristown) 56.49; 4. Tirian Chang (Chatham) 57.83; 5. Will L’Estrange (Morristown Beard) 58.02; 6. Ryan O’Day (Chatham) 58.07.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Jack MacMillan (Morristown) 52.29; 2. Max Ciechanowski (Delbarton) 53.63; 3. Dom Narduzzi (Delbarton) 54.14; 4. David Zoltek (Kinnelon) 54.15; 5. Jon Papendick (Kinnelon) 54.16; 6. Dimitri Fedorov (Mendham) 54.82.

400-meter freestyle: 1. Kenneth Barnicle (Mendham) 3:53.33* (previous record: 3:56.33, Ryan Waters, Morristown Beard, 2017); 2. Jack Kulp (Chatham) 4:11.61; 3. Matthew Barnicle (Mendham) 4:13.33; 4. Kenny East (Delbarton) 4:14.83; 5. Nathan Milun (Roxbury) 4:16.33; 6. Cooper Moffatt (Parsippany Hills) 4:17.54.

200-meter freestyle relay: 1. Chatham (William von Doussa, Ransom Chang, Jack Kulp, Charlie Kulp) 1:38.1; 2. Morristown 1:38.6; 3. Delbarton 1:39.07; 4. Kinnelon 1:40.99; 5. Randolph 1:45.55; 6. Morris Knolls 1:46.69.

100-meter backstroke: 1. Ryan O’Day (Chatham) 59.85; 2. Martin Castro-Salazar (Mendham) 1:00.77; 3. Tirian Chang (Madison) 1:01.15; 4. Jacques Chemaly (Madison) 1:03.83; 5. Andrew Lahey (Morris Knolls) 1:04.06; 6. Logan Pfarrer (Morris Hills) 1:04.83.

100-yard breaststroke: 1. Connor Johnson (Parsippany Hills) 1:05.07; 2. Andrew O’Day (Chatham) 1:05.42; 3. Dalton Brooks (Delbarton) 1:07.33; 4. Anuthra Abeysinghe (Madison) 1:07.56; 5. Michael Bunzendahl (Parsippany Hills) 1:08.02; 6. Cooper Moffatt (Parsippany Hills) 1:08.91.

400-meter freestyle relay: 1. Chatham (William von Doussa, Ryan O’Day, Jack Kulp, Charlie Kulp) 3:33.68; 2. Mendham 3:34.4; 3. Delbarton 3:38.18; 4. Randolph 3:52.88; 5. Morris Hills 3:54.84; 6. Roxbury 3:57.02.