As the competition got
tougher, so did Don Bosco.
The Ironmen swam to the
front of the pack again, winning their second County title in the
last three years, a conference title and advancing to the sectional
semifinals. They are the North Jersey Boys Swimming Team of the
Year.
"I know you hear it a
million times, but it was a family," Ironmen coach Anne Langan
said. "They were there for one another."
Never was that more the
case than in the first round of the State tournament. The Ironmen
trailed Notre Dame heading into the final relay and needed a win to
advance. They got it and pulled off a thrilling 85.5-84.5
victory.
The margin meant every
Don Bosco swimmer was key.
"We had a strong core
that was there for every meet and they were complemented by a lot
of non-club swimmers who were able to score points when we needed,"
Langan said. "Our depth pulled through."
At the Bergen Meet of
Champions, the Ironmen set the tone by winning the 200 medley
relay, then Ryan Magee won the 200 freestyle. The Ironmen also
received important points from Lou Gabriele, Michael Guerci and
John Fatigati to edge Tenafly for the title.
"It's more difficult [to
win] because the competition has intensified," Langan said. "So
it's always wonderful to win it."
Langan will lose Gabriele
to Grove City University in Pennsylvania, but most of her point
scorers return. The self-described "mother" of the program, who is
the only coach it has had, was proud of this
group.
"I worry about every one
of them; they feel like 38 extra sons," Langan said with a laugh.
"But everything went smooth. They all contributed and they were
very special."
