The Lakeland-West Milford Swim team’s 2025-26 season is in the books, but although the season is over, the records broken and the bonds formed and strengthened have left the team the strongest it has ever been.
This season saw a mass improvement throughout the entire team, ending with both the boys team and the girls team seeing increases in their end of season records. According to Nj.com the boys team ended the season with a record of 5-6, while the girls team had a record of 7-4. The boys record of 5-6 is the best that they have had since the inception of the team in 2018.
Not only has the team broken season records, but they have also broken multiple individual records. Junior Nate Shouten not only broke multiple team records, but also two county records as well. Last year he was unable to make it due to an unfortunate illness, but this year, Shouten showed his strength, breaking both the 100 fly and 100 back records. According to an Nj.com article, Schouten got a 50.81 in the fly and a 51.70 in the back, breaking the longest-standing county record of a 52.95 set in 2011 by Jovany Avendano. When talking about the season, Shouten considered this his best moment saying, “I think breaking multiple county records was my highlight.”
The team is more than just records- they are built on top of a strong bond that only improved as the season went on. According to Senior Antimo Ferretti, “The people in the swim program are the best part. I challenge people to find another high-school team that is more kind and inviting.”
Other team members also said that the people were the most important part of being on the team. Sophomore Andrew Bothel said, “The best part about the team is being around our teammates. We have a great team bond.”
Freshmen Samantha Edler said, “The best part of being a part of the team is how everyone is welcoming and very positive.”
The team also had a new head coach this year, Mathew Kane. His motivation and drive led the team to achieve their outstanding season. Coach Kane was a part of the swim team last year as an assistant coach. He has risen to the occasion and led the team to one of their best seasons.
While both teams miss last year’s seniors, Coach Kane said that “Both teams responded with an influx of new talent, returners taking the next step, and swimmers embracing larger roles. The growth across the roster defined the season.”
The Lakeland West Millford swim team has had a truly incredible season filled with growth and the drive to continue pushing themselves to become the best that they can be. They have achieved many things this season and it shows in their incredible dedication to the team, in and out of the pool.
