Sports

Maplewood Makos Cap Stellar Unbeaten Season

Swim team hosted league championships at Maplewood Pool.

Article written by Tara George. Photos by Joy Yagid.

The Maplewood Makos hosted the New Jersey Swim League Divison II Championships Monday at the Maplewood Community Pool, capping a stellar season of zero losses for the summer swim team. 

The Makos’ undefeated status this season has catapulted them up to Division III for next year, said Carly Buckholtz, the team’s head coach. 

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“This was a good season,” said Buckholtz. “The kids were focused, the coaches were great and we put fun before obsessing about the results.” 

There were 130 swimmers on the team this year and they won all eight of their meets against Berkeley Heights, Verona, Millburn and Florham Park. There is no winning team in the divisional meets. Results are recorded for individual performances and will help decide who competes in the Meet of Champions in New Providence on Thursday. 

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“The season was excellent,” said Jeremy Moss, father of swimmers Finn, 13, and Teague, 10. “We were undefeated! Eight and 0.” 

There were strong swimmers in all age groups but Buckholtz said the team performed best in the relays, which can count for up to 49 points. “The relays held it together for us,” said Buckholtz, who has been head coach for five years. “They are great because they put more swimmers in the water.” 

Buckholtz said she had mixed feelings about the team’s advance to Divison III, saying that while it was a great testament to the performance of her swimmers, she would miss the other Division II teams. “We’ve created such a nice camaraderie with the other Division II teams,” she said. 

The Makos will not face the South Orange Dolphins in Division III next year, as the neighboring team has also had a strong season and is also moving up a division. 

The Makos summer swim team lasts essentially for the month of July. Backed by a committed group of parent volunteers, coaches work hard on team-building and community spirit. This year they are collecting for Swim For Food, which donates food to local food pantries, and are trying to beat last year’s haul of 1,500 pounds. 

“Being in the Makos was so fun because you get to visit many places and the coaches are really nice,” said eight-year-old Maya Glenn. “Also, it’s fun being in the races and it makes you feel like you’re in the Olympics.” 

The Maplewood Community Pool was closed until 1 p.m. Monday to accommodate the meet, which went off without a hitch and impressed participants by concluding in under three hours.

 


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