The Seton Hall Pirates Swim Team had a busy weekend as they won yet another Super Essex County Championship. The meet was held at NJIT for the second consecutive year as thirteen teams went head-to-head for a chance at the title. The Pirates began the meet with a win in the 200 yard medley relay which consisted of Jaeden Yburan ‘21, Connor Townson ‘22, Joaquin Quezada ‘21 and Captain Mike Pietrucha ‘20 as anchor. They won with a time of 1:38.28 placing first, ahead of county rivals, Montclair High School.
The Pirates kept on rolling as they managed to place first and second in the 200 free and the 200 IM thanks to Captain Matt Prior ‘20 and Townson. Dylan Negron ‘22 and and Jose Rodriguez ‘22 helped in the 200 free, both placing top twelve, gaining points for the Pirates. Dom Ancey ‘22 and Kyler Alcebar ‘23 also helped get some points in the 200 IM as they placed both fifth and eleventh in their events.
Prior won the 200 free with a best time of 1:46.02 and Townson the 200 IM swimming a personal best time of 1:57.36. Jack Devilibiss ‘21 was the only one from the Pirates who placed in 50 free event, swimming a time of 22.42.
Immediately after the break, Yburan won the 100 fly event swimming a best time of 51.19, leaving the entire pool in awe. Following the 100 fly, Captain Pietrucha, Devilibiss and Rodriguez helped the Pirates tremendously as they were able to get first, fifth and eleventh place swimming times of 48.59, 49.69 and 51.30. Prior, Alcebar and Quezada were able to place first, eight and ninth in the 500 free event with times of 4:53.23, 5:15.27 and 5:24.96.
The second half of the meeting was key for the Pirates as they trailed only by a little bit behind Montclair. The biggest event of the SEC Championship by far, was the 200 freestyle relay which helped the Pirates win their 23rd consecutive county championship. Devilibiss, Negron, Prior and Pietrucha shocked the entire building as they went to a new county record time in the 200 free relay of 1:28.76.
It was after the 200 free relay that the Pirates gained momentum to steer clear for first as Yburan, Ancey, Negron and Joe Labrador ‘20 managed to place first, fifth, sixth and ninth in the 100 backstroke. Yburan, hungry for more, broke his own school record in the 100 backstroke swimming a time of 50.59. Pietrucha and Townson swam the 100 breaststroke as they secured third and fourth place with times of 59.82 and 1:00.97.
The meet ended with the 400 free relay as the Pirates were one race away from holding up the championship trophy. Negron, Devilibiss, Prior and Yburan swam the relay in a new county record time of 3:14.60.
The Pirates had fun this weekend winning the SEC Championship, and are now preparing for the NJSIAA State playoffs and hope to bring a state championship home this year.