Swim team captains improve, cheer on others

By Josh Lashley

What the West Milford/Lakeland High School co-op swimming program may lack in numbers, it more than makes up for in the team members’ effort, enthusiasm and willingness to encourage their teammates in their chosen events.

Helping to propel the team forward this season are the captains: Sophia Burghoffer, Emma Shorter, Emily Cimbrik, Abigail Smith, Demetrios Piteris and Owen Kane, all seniors.

“The six captains each brings something different to the table,’’ head coach Matthew Kane said.

“For example, Emily Cimbrik has been dealing with a medical injury but has made time to come to meets and support the team and time swim events. She is the record-holder in four West Milford individual events and her spirit has been missed in the pool.

“Abigail Smith communicates well with the team on team activities and helped create and manage our winter pep-rally skit. She made the team’s Senior Night banner for Lakeland/West Milford without being asked.

“Emma Shorter is a first-year swimmer who consistently attends practices and has been a part of other West Milford sports teams and her professionalism is appreciated.

“Demtrios Piteris is a kind person who works hard every day at practice and is willing to support others at competitions and lead.

“Sophia Burghoffer and Owen Kane have embraced their respective leadership roles through actions and mentoring the underclassman. It is a cliche to say, but they represent our team the best through their words and actions. They both have near-perfect attendance and have done whatever it takes for the team as a whole to succeed through competition or practice.’’

Self-improvement as well as being there to help their fellow student athletes continually improve are attributes shared by the captains this year, the coach said.

“Demitrios has approved upon his 500 freestyle record with a time of 8:23.86. Sophia Burghoffer has improved upon her 100 breaststroke record time of 1:24.30. Owen Kane has dropped significant time in his 100 breaststroke record with a time of 1:16.78 and 100 butterfly record time of 1:14.62. These are all improvements on West Milford individual race records.”

He said the team members have been “there for one another, especially with the freshmen, who are doing new and longer race events for the first time.”

“Unless they are club swimmers, freshmen usually deal with 50 meter races if lucky. A swim meet has races that are 20 laps (500 yard freestyle) or stroke events that are over four laps (100 yard races).

“The Lakeland/West Milford teammates loudly cheer their teammates on during swim meets and kudos are always given. You can see each meet, new plateaus are reached. Lakeland head coach Patricia Kebrdle had made sure the camaraderie is a priority which is great to see.’’

On Thursday, Feb. 2, West Milford/Lakeland is scheduled to participate in the Big North Conference Divisional Championship Meet in Hackensack.

“All swim team members have had the opportunity to race at the varsity level,’’ Kane said. “(Sophomore) Ben Lighty is up and coming and has broken records in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke. He is a swimmer that is diversified and works on all four strokes (breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke and freestyle).

“We have three girl freshmen, Maddie Stillman, Mia Church and Sienna Franklin, who have greatly improved throughout the season. Mia and Maddie set the West Milford 500 freestyle record. Jacob Price’s and Molly Kane’s presence is appreciated and needed. All members of the Lakeland/ West Milford team are trying to improve their technique and speed in the water.’’