Two eighth seed upsets headline assertion wins from 1st spherical of women swimming state tourney

The first spherical of the N.J. ladies swimming sectional event sometimes doesn’t function any state-ranked groups, however that doesn’t imply that we didn’t get some nice swimming meets over the previous couple of days.

Two eighth seeds punched their tickets to the sectional quarterfinals, a nine-year postseason drought lastly ended, and several other different meets got here all the way down to the wire.

Here’s a have a look at all of the motion from the primary spherical.

Note: This story will likely be up to date all through Tuesday as extra first spherical outcomes are available in.

Group A

North 1

5-Livingston defeats 8-River Dell

Led by Essex County’s high swimmer, Sara Wei, fifth-seeded Livingston defeated eighth-seeded River Dell within the first spherical for the second straight season 108-62. Wei cruised to dominant wins within the 200 IM and 100 fly, whereas contributing to the successful 200 medley relay.

7-Sparta cruises previous 6-Ridgewood

Powered by seven occasion wins and a key 1-2 end within the 200 IM by Penelope Biehler and Eve Wilkinson, seventh-seeded Sparta booked its journey to the sectional semifinals with a 98-72 win over sixth-seeded Ridgewood. Sparta additionally bought a 2-3-4 end result within the 50 free.

North 2

6-Hunterdon Central advances on tiebreaker in opposition to 7-J.P. Stevens

A quick energy level complete proved to be the distinction in Hunterdon Central’s victory over J.P. Stevens, because the meet was tied at 84-84 following the 400 free relay. Hunterdon Central, nevertheless, had the benefit on energy factors (1114 to 964). Elizabeth Golebiewski received each the 50 free and 100 free for the Red Devils. Olivia Piazza dropped strong instances within the 100 fly (1:05.36) and 100 again (1:08.18).

Central

8-Freehold Township shocks 5-South Brunswick

Eighth-seeded Freehold Township managed to power a tie with a 1-3 end within the 400 free relay, then earned the win on energy factors in a 86-85 victory over fifth-seeded South Brunswick. It’s the primary postseason victory for Freehold Township since 2016.

6-Hightstown lastly ends drought, beats 7-Manalapan

Hightstown has fielded some sturdy groups over time, however postseason success has been powerful to seek out for almost a decade — till now. Hightstown captured its first state event win in 9 seasons with a commanding 101-69 victory over Manalapan. Hightstown picked up 9 occasion wins, together with a sweep of all three relays.

South

5-Southern earns hard-fought win over 8-Washington Township

Depth proved to be essential for fifth-seeded Southern, who earned a 90-80 victory over a powerful Washington Township workforce. Southern largely dominated the final 4 occasions, with Emily Kulinski (1:05.77) and Myla Cromwell (1:08.91) going 1-2 within the backstroke, whereas Sevanah Oravets received the breaststroke in 1:05.83.

Group B

North 1

6-Leonia takes down 7-Indian Hills

Sixth-seeded Leonia bought key race wins from Cate Chang (100 again/500 free) and Iris Kim (200 IM/butterfly) en path to a 100-70 victory over seventh-seeded Indian Hills. The ‘B’ lanes additionally performed a key issue, as Leonia secured eight third place finishes. Leonia will journey to Northern Highlands for a quarterfinal matchup.

North 2

5-Scotch Plains-Fanwood cruises previous 8-Cranford

Scotch Plains-Fanwood picked up eight wins on the best way to a 101-66 win over Cranford, with Shae Trenery main the cost because of her fast instances of two:00.36 within the 200 free and 56.40 within the 100 free. Scotch Plains-Fanwood will face fourth-seeded Ridge on Thursday within the quarterfinal spherical.

6-Princeton makes an epic comeback over 7-Watchung Hills

Down 80-76 heading into the ultimate occasion, Princeton responded with its again in opposition to the wall with an epic 1-3 end in 400 free relay. The quartet of Jenna Barry, Emily Walden, Kailey Yun, Annie Flanagan dropped its quickest time of the season (3:48.44) to present Princeton the win, whereas Princeton’s ‘B’ relay took third in 3:49.05.

Along together with her win within the 400 free relay, Flanagan clocked a MOC minimize of 1:00.54 to win the 100 again, whereas additionally snagging first within the butterfly (1:00.46). Princeton will face Red Bank Regional in a sectional quarterfinal rematch on Thursday.

Central

8-Neptune upsets 5-Brick Township

One of the perfect seasons in current program historical past simply bought even higher for Neptune (9-2), who took down fifth-seeded Brick Township 93-77. Cameron Wall scooped up wins within the 100 free and 100 again, whereas Allyson Fey snagged the breaststroke and 500 free.

7-Colts Neck cruises previous 6-Lawrence

Colts Neck will advance to the quarterfinal spherical because of a 96-73 victory over Lawrence.

South

6-Toms River South defeats 7-Central Regional in rematch of epic division showdown

In a wire-to-wire battle, Toms River South solely managed to sneak away with a 87-83 victory in a Shore Blue ‘A’ Division matchup on Jan. 8.

Toms River South, nevertheless, made positive that the end result was rather more convincing the second time round. Earning a 108-62 win over Central Regional, Noelle Donnelly led the best way with a pair of fast instances within the 50 free (26.30) and breaststroke (1:12.45), whereas additionally contributing to the successful 200 medley and 200 free relays. Toms River South will face third-seeded Ocean City within the subsequent spherical this Thursday.

Group C

North 1

5-Pequannock defeats perennial Group C powerhouse

What a journey it’s been for Pequannock ladies swimming over the past two years. After going 0-11 simply two seasons in the past, Pequannock will now be competing within the sectional quarterfinals after defeating perennial sectional champion Kinnelon within the first spherical, 90-73. Despite seven race wins for Kinnelon, Pequannock bought key wins from Amelia Murphy (100 free), Meghan D’Aurizio (500 free), Zophia Cook (100 again), together with a 1-2 end within the 400 free relay. Fourth-seeded Vernon awaits Pequannock within the subsequent spherical.

North 2

5-West Morris captures 10 occasions, defeats 8-Hoboken

West Morris started its sectional title protection in North 2, Group C with a 109-61 victory over eighth-seeded Hoboken. Dominating the center lanes with 10 race wins, Jillian Weinberger (200/500 free), Abigail Czinkota (200 IM/breaststroke) and Elisa Porebski (100 free/backstroke) led the parade of wins for West Morris, who will face fourth-seeded Mendham.

South

5-Seneca earns 1st win of season over 8-Middle Township

It’s uncommon to get your first win of the season within the postseason, however fifth-seeded Seneca pulled that off in a 90-80 victory over eighth-seeded Middle Township. Seneca received all 11 occasions, with Amelia Callahan dropping huge wins within the 50 free (26.98) and breaststroke (1:12.93).

6-Wall earns tiebreaker win over 7-Cedar Creek

Wall managed to stroll out of Neptune Aquatic Center with some revenge, avenging final yr’s playoff defeat over Cedar Creek with a 86-85 victory. With the meet tied at 85-85 after the 400 free relay, energy factors have been used to find out a winner. Wall, who picked up eight race wins, received the meet on an influence factors, 869-767 over Cedar Creek.