This year’s version of the Manasquan boys swim team will always be a part of the history books. (1).jpg)
Five days prior to its first loss in its last meet of the season, a 134-36 setback to Mainland in the NJSIAA Public B semifinal on Feb. 21, Manasquan accomplished something no other swim team in school history could stake a claim too – a sectional state championship.
Manasquan (14-1) took charge early, winning seven of its first eight events, to upend West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 98-72, to claim its first-ever NJSIAA Central Jersey Public B crown.
Senior DJ Desomma won two individual titles – 200 freestyle, 1:46.89 and 500 freestyle, 4:53.02 (two seconds off his personal best) and helped his teammates – Luke McDonald, Breener Hinds and John Valgenti – claim a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay (1:33.03).
Manasquan was so solid, it earned two of the top three finishes in nine of the races overall.
"We knew our first events were our strong ones," Desomma said to NJ.com after the race. "We needed to get ahead and keep our foot on the gas pedal. That’s exactly what we did and it worked out perfectly."
Manasquan head coach Craig Murin agreed.
"We've been waiting all year to swim fast and I’ve been telling them all week that West Windsor-Plainsboro North is us but a little bit faster," Murin said to NJ.com. "These guys came out and swam amazing. They deserve it. They did it in the water."
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