The Montclair High School girls swimming team has had a very impressive last two seasons, compiling a 20-2 record in dual meets as well as bringing home the Essex County team title in 2022 and 2023.
But when it came to the state tournament, the Mounties had the misfortune to be in the same group as Westfield, considered the top girls swimming squad in New Jersey the last two years.
In both years Montclair lost to Westfield in the Group A semifinals. This year it was by a 97-73 margin in the meet on Feb. 21 at Passaic Tech.
Despite the defeat, Montclair head coach Ed Koenigsfest said he could not have been more content.
“The girls had an outstanding season,” Koenigsfest said. “We were very happy with an 11-1 record, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m grateful to have this great group of girls.”
The coach especially credited their success to the seniors on the team, Ela Habjan, Caitlin Foung and Sarah Miller. “These girls have been instrumental in bringing along the team in their four years,” he said.
Coming into the match against Westfield, the Mounties needed to overachieve and Westfield to underachieve if they were going to make it close.
Despite the result, Koenigsfest did not think it was a disappointment to lose to Westfield. “It’s not a shame to lose to them,” he said. “They’re a great team.”
The graduation of Habjan will put a big void in the Mounties’ lineup next season. Habjan has been a major cog in the lineup and won three outstanding swimmer awards at the Super Essex Conference/Essex County meets. She didn’t have the chance to get four because the SEC/county meet was not held in 2021. “You can’t replace her,” Koeningsfest said.
While Montclair fell short, there were a few individual highlights, including sophomore Reagan Gilligan coming from behind to win the 500 freestyle. Gilligan finished with a time of 5:16.17 as she rallied to defeat Westfield’s Lauren Lane, who came in second with a time of 5:20.96.
Lane held the lead early on before Gilligan rallied. “There is a lot of psychology in her 500,” Koenigsfest said. “She knew when to get going.”
Habjan capped off her illustrious Montclair career by winning the 100 freestyle at 52.67.
The senior also was part of the 400-freestyle relay team with juniors Lily Miklaszewski and Carly Frank and Gilligan that had the Mounties go out on a high note by winning the event with a time of 3:38.06, more than two seconds ahead of the top Westfield relay team.
Montclair girls swimming v Westfield Group A semifinals
200 Medley Relay
2. Ela Habjan, Reagan Gilligan, Carly Frank, Lily Miklaszewski, 1:49.65
4. Sophie Merrifield-Zuluaga, Keira Gilligan, Madeline Young, Sefina Morrison, 1:58.28
6. Maya Gutierrez, Madison Daynes, Zoe Troxler, Ellen Last, 2:06.87
200 Freestyle
2. Avery Dollard, 1:57.86
4. Keira Gilligan, 2:04.02
6. Sefina Morrison, 2:11.23
200 Individual Medley
3. Carly Frank, 2:13.44
4. Madeline Young, 2:20.96
6. Sarah Miller, 2:27.09
50 Freestyle
2. Ela Habjan, 24.04
4. Lily Miklaszewski, 25.34
5. Caitlin Foung, 25.85
100 Butterfly
2. Avery Dollard, 59.81
3. Carly Frank, 1:00.25
6. Madison Daynes, 1:11.84
100 Freestyle
1. Ela Habjan, 52.67
3. Lily Miklaszewski, 54.96
5. Caitlin Foung, 25.85
500 Freestyle
1. Reagan Gilligan, 5:16.37
4. Sophie Merrifield-Zuluaga, 5:30.32
6. Sefina Morrison, 5:51.86
200 Freestyle Relay
2. Sarah Miller, Madeline Young, Caitlin Foung, Avery Dollard, 1:46.42
4. Maya Gutierrez, Madison Daynes, Lauren Wall, Keira Gilligan, 1:51.67
5. Alexandra Jacobstein, Sophie Gyan, Maria Basinger, Ellen Last, 1:54.99
100 Backstroke
2. Sarah Miller, 1:04.15
3. Sophie Merrifield-Zuluaga, 1:04.47
5. Lauren Wall, 1:10.43
100 Breaststroke
2. Reagan Gilligan, 1:10.78
4. Keira Gilligan, 1:12.49
6. Madison Gaynes, 1:26.40
400 Freestyle Relay
1. Lily Miklaszewski, Reagan Gilligan, Carly Frank, Ela Habjan, 3:38.06
3. Madeline Young, Sarah Miller, Avery Dollard, Caitlin Foung, 3:53.97
5. Ellen Last, Maya Gutierrez, Sophie Merrifield-Zuluaga, Lauren Wall, 4:12.21