Alivia Wright

Head Coach Krystal Hoffman (left) celebrates with sophomore Sydney Wright, who placed fourth in the 50 freestyle, which is the highest a Lady Ram has ever placed at the 2024 Morris County Championships, held on Jan. 17, 2024.

The Randolph Girls Swim team had a strong showing at the 2024 Morris County Championships, placing eighth out of 18 teams, with 75 points. The Boys Swim team was not far behind, placing 11^th out of 18 teams, with 36 points.

“Counties is usually all about the boys’ team and their success,” Head Coach Krystal Hoffman said. “This year we had a switch, and it was about the girls’ success, but the energy was still the same.”

The girls begin with great races from sophomore Sydney Wright. She excelled in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, placing fourth in the 50, which is the highest a Lady Ram has ever placed at counties. Wright also placed fifth in the 100. Sophomore Peyton Enama followed with standout performances in the 100 fly, placing eighth, and placing 11^th in the 100 back.

For the boys, junior Matthew Shortino earned points for the team. He placed 12^th in the 200 individual medley, and 11^th in the 100 free. He had a close race with junior teammate Michael Diaz, who placed 10^th in the 100 free.

At the end of the meet, both the boys and girls had their strongest finishes in the 400 free. The girls placed third overall, and the boys placed fifth.

“When we have swimmers placing in events, it is an exciting time to see things come all together from their hard work all season,” Hoffman noted. “So, we try to celebrate those wins loudly.”

Both the boys’ and girls’ captains confirmed this year was a success for team bonding and confidence. “I loved seeing girls have each other’s backs and help each other up after the good and bad races,” junior captain Ana Sanguillo Leppanen said. “We all encouraged each other to do the very best in our events.”

Boys senior captain James Lachica agreed: “Each swimmer’s swim is essential in helping Randolph pull out a win or score points.” Lachica said he also supports the underclassmen at these bigger meets by “not sugar coating everything. I tell them to focus on their race and not to worry about factors they can’t control.”

Both teams have been successfull as the swimmers now support each other in every  environment. “This year stands out as a change in team spirit and support for one another,” Hoffman said. “The boys’ and girls’ teams are the closest they have ever been.”

Events & Places

Medley relay: Girls: Ana Sanguillo Leppanen (back), Abla Sanguillo Leppanen (breaststroke), Peyton Enama (fly), and Kisa Mulondo (Free), 10^th place. Boys: Gavin Drazek (back), T.J. Wangchuk (breaststroke), Adam Dalton (fly), Marco Holder (free), 17^th  place.

200 free: Alba Sanguillo Leppanen, 14^th;  Adam Dalton, 19^th.

200 IM: Alivia Wright, 15^th; Ana Sanguillo Leppanen, 16^th; Matthew Shortino, 12^th .

50 Free: Sydney Wright, 4^th; Kisa Mulondo, 26^th; Michael Daiz, 16^th; James Lachica, 21^st;                       Marco Holder, 27^th.

100 Fly: Peyton Enama, 8^th.

100 Free: Sydney Wright, 5^th; Michael Diaz, 10^th; Matthew Shortino, 11^t;h ; Gavin Drazek, 27^th; Marco Holder, 36^th.

400 Free: Jaidyn Young, 24^th; Adam Dalton, 21^st.

200 Free Relay: Girls: Alivia Wright, Kisa Mulondo, Ana Sanguillo Leppanen, Sydney Wright, 8^th.          Boys: Michael Diaz, Marco Holder, James Lachica, Matthew Shortino, 8^th.

100 Back: Peyton Enama, 11^th; Jaidyn Young, 25^th; Gavin Drazek, 18^th.

100 Breaststroke: Alba Sanguillo Leppanen, 9^th; Ana Sanguillo Leppanen, 10^th; Alivia Wright, 16^th;     James Lachica, 16^th; T.J. Wangchuk-, 26^th.

400 Free Relay: Girls: Alivia Wright, Alba Sanguillo Leppanen, Peyton Enama, Sydney Wright, 3^rd.         Boys: Matthew Shortino, Gavin Drazek, James Lachica, Michael Diaz, 5^th.

The Lady Rams (girls) and Fighting Rams (boys) have their next meet @ Kinnelon tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 31, starting at 2 p.m.