I don't know why the other teams even bothered to show up to the Essex County relays Sunday at Seton Hall University. Over the last two years, it has been made absolutely clear by the Cougar girls runners that they are not only the best team in the county, it's not even really close.

The Columbia girls were beyond dominant once again at the relays, scoring 74 points, nearly three times more than any other team at the meet. They took first place in six of the eight events at SHU, winning the 800, 1,600, 3,200 and sprint medley relays along with the shuttle hurdles and team high jump.

I think we are going to be in for a serious record-breaking season come springtime for the girls.

In continuing with a fantastic weekend in sports for the Cougars, the boys fencing team edged out Montclair by a tiebreaker in the Cetrulo tournament, taking first overall in the sabre, to help propel them to the tournament win. Brian Kaneshige was awe-inspiring in carrying the sabre squad, leading a dramatic come-from-behind win over Hunterdon Central. It was the boys' third title in the last 10 years.

The girls fencing team took second overall in the Santelli tournament, behind a 6-1 performance from the sabre team, which was number one overall at the tournament. With the Cougars winning the last five Santelli Tournaments, a second place finish this year was likely a little disappointing, but there are about 40 other teams in the state that would love to be that disappointed.

Columbia's girls basketball team just won't lose anymore, and recently it doesn't even seem as though it was even close. Since losing on opening day to Shabazz, no team has even come close to the girls on their eight-game winning streak. The astounding thing about it is that they don't have a real scoring threat and it seems that any player on their team can score at any time. Normally, I always say that you need dominant scorers, but at this point this Columbia team is proving me wrong.

The team's defense is also outstanding. Of their last seven opponents, only one team has scored more than 40 points against them.

The boys basketball team is going through a very difficult stretch, where they've now lost three of their last four games. They've faced some tough opposition, but it should be noted that it has been the second half which has been a detriment to the boys this season. They have been outscored in the third and fourth quarters in four different contests this winter. All of those games were losses. So, if they can do a better job of putting four quarters together, they should be fine.

Lastly, it should be noted that both the girls swimming team and the wrestling team picked up their first wins of the season. Kudos to them.

The three most important games of the week:

1. Boys and Girls swimming vs. Montclair Kimberley Academy, Jan. 13— At the beginning of the season, head coach Carly Orpurt said she didn't know what to expect from the conference. This will be a big test for the boys and the girls to help determine where they stand in the conference and how good they will be this season.

2. Wrestling vs. Millburn, Jan. 15—The Cougars have been on the rise in the last few weeks and have a real chance to continue the trend at home against Millburn. If they can fill out most of the lineup card, they should have a good shot.

3. Boys basketball vs. Montclair, Jan. 14—The local boys' team has run into some problems over the last four games. There's nothing like a nice easy landing spot to pick up a win to help make the playoffs. Montclair is 3-6 in a weaker division. Columbia is 5-4 in the top division. You do the math.