The Bulldawgs won their fourth straight sectional championship on Thursday, defeating Haddon Township High School, 93–77.
In 2015, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association added a third group, Group C, for boys and girls swimming championships.
Since then, Haddonfield Memorial High School girls swimming has been perfect in the sectional tournament.
The Bulldawgs won their fourth consecutive South Jersey Public Group C title last Thursday, defeating Haddon Township High School, 93–77, in the sectional final. It is the 13th time Haddonfield girls swimming has won a sectional championship.
“We’re so excited and we’re so happy we get to share it with the girls,” senior Grace Figlioli said. “Being here four years and enjoying every minute and every second of the swim team, it’s awesome to have this under our belts.”
Head coach Bob Querubin was thrilled the senior class got to experience a South Jersey championship in all four seasons of their high school career. He spoke of the importance of the team’s depth in its recent success.
“You can’t rely on one person,” Querubin said. “It’s been that way in our postseason the past several years. I’m hoping that experience, they’re going to remember from last year, is that they know that anybody that steps up on the blocks is just as valuable as anyone else.”
The Bulldawgs’ win last Thursday was a team effort. Haddon Township finished the dual meet with more first-place finishes, taking the top spot in two relays and five of the eight individual events.
The difference in the meet came in the outer lanes, where Haddonfield was able to outdistance Haddon Township. The Bulldawgs racked up a ton of second-, third- and fourth-place finishes to maintain their lead throughout the meet.
Haddonfield’s best event came in the 100-yard freestyle, where the Bulldawgs swept the top three spots. Regan McDonnell won the event for Haddonfield with a time 0:56.58 and Haddonfield extended its lead to 22 points at the time.
“The girls really stepped up and went in the pool with the mindset that they’re going to swim like it was their last race,” Figlioli said about the 100-yard freestyle.
“It all depends on who’s up in the blocks,” Querubin added. “Anybody can swim in any given event. (Haddon Township) could have put someone up in that event that could have made it a much different outcome.”
The Bulldawgs had a different look this season than in years past. Young swimmers such as sophomores Ava Berzanski and Sophia Rollo put up fast times in multiple events last Thursday.
“It’s a young team this year, so we’re really trying to amp up the freshmen and get them ready for what’s to come,” Figlioli said. “Hopefully now that they see if we can drop time and we can work hard, we can continue.”
“They’re definitely going to have a lot of success in the future,” senior Carlee Riordan added.
The Bulldawgs are hoping this season is not a repeat of the past three years. Haddonfield has advanced to the Public Group C state championship meet each of the last three years, but lost all three times. Last year, the Bulldawgs lost to Mountain Lakes High School in the season’s final meet.
“They’re going to go in knowing what to expect and to expect anything,” Querubin said about advancing to states. “The experience should play a very big role in these girls.”
