Passaic County Technical Institute wins state, county swimming titles

Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) had a stellar championship season this winter, sweeping both the boys and girls county and Big North League Championships.

In addition, the PCTI boys followed through on the trifecta with a second consecutive state championship.

They are on their way to the state Meet of Champions competition.

Several High Crest Lake residents were a key part of the season’s successes.

Junior Zachary McKatten dominated in the 100 backstroke, easing his way to a victory and PCTI team record.

Not to be outdone, sophomore Tyler Roer followed up his multiple 2022 wins with two more, sweeping his individual events: the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly at the Passaic County meet.

These two swimmers - lifelong next-door neighbors - also contributed to relay wins, propelling the Bulldogs to the county title.

PCTI enjoyed similar successes in the Big North Liberty regular season and championship meet, as Zach and Tyler, along with High Crest Lake teammate Michael DeMarco, contributed to an undefeated league run.

The PCTI boys secured a convincing victory over Livingston in the semifinals of the state North Group A tournament, setting up a clash with a formidable Montclair team in the finals.

Once again, the boys were up to the challenge, winning multiple individual and relay events, including another record-breaking performance for Zach and double wins for Tyler.

They cruised to their second straight state championship with a 110-60 win.

“It is amazing to come to these meets and see so many friendly faces, both swimmers and coaches,” said sophomore Tyler Roer. “We all cheer for each other, regardless of the uniform, and we all push each other to be the best we can be. It makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”

On the girls side, junior Sam McKatten and freshman Eliana Macaluso, both High Crest residents, contributed to the PCTI girls victories in the Passaic County Championship as well as the Big North Liberty meet, in which they both finished in the top three.

Although the girls fell just short in the sectional semifinals, the nucleus of PCTI girls swimming is young and will be vying for state championships for years to come.

In addition to PCTI’s success, West Milford and the High Crest Lake Hurricane Swim Team was well represented at the meets.

The Lakeland/West Milford swim team is vastly improved from a year ago, finishing second and thirrd in the girls and boys league meets, respectively.

That is no small part the result of the leadership of Owen and Molly Kane along with High Crest swimmers Sienna Franklin and Jacob Price.

Each of these swimmers are part of the High Crest Lake Hurricane Swim Team’s long tradition. The team is co-coached by Tyler and Zach during the summer, assisted by many others.

Among the West Milford swimmers making a mark this season were Owen Schouten, Owen Kane, Jacob Price, Ben Lightly, Dimitri Peteris, Sienna Franklin, Molly Kane, Madelyn Stillman, Sophia Burghoffer, Emily Cimbrik, Mia Church, Emma Shorter, Abby Smith, Eddie Gruber, Michael DeMarco, Zachary McKatten, Tyler Roer, Eliana Macaluso and Samantha McKatten.

Wayne Hills girls swim coach Mike Shale, also a resident of High Crest Lake, led his team to a dominant Big North Patriot League title, easily outpacing the competition.

Shale, whose close-knit team also finished a strong second in a very competitive Passaic County meet, secured a third seed in the state meet as well.