SEWELL – Jackie Kleinsorgen "knew there was a chance" she'd be swimming in a final at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions today. But the Roxbury sophomore was certain her older sister, senior Allyson Kleinsorgen, was going to be there.
Both sisters advanced together as part of the Gaels' 200-yard freestyle relay in the B-final, and the medley in the bonus final. Jackie's premonition about her "just great" big sister was also accurate.
Allyson Kleinsorgen will be the fourth seed in the 50-yard freestyle, and sixth in the backstroke, when the MOC resumes this morning at Gloucester County Institute of Technology.
Morristown freshman Alanna Lenihan had looked up results from past years, which made her more confident – even though the Colonials' medley relay is three rookies and a sophomore. In fact, all three Morristown girls relays return today.
"It's unexpected. It just kind of came out of nowhere," she said. "It's crazy to think we're so young, but we have such a strong team."
Villa Walsh's medley relay improved on its own Daily Record area best time yet again (1:48.21), earning the fourth seed in the championship final. Chatham sophomore Alicia Iizuka (fourth) and Vikings sophomore Rebecca Morel (sixth) will swim the championship breaststroke, with Lauren deTorres of Kinnelon in the consolation heat. Morel also qualified for the IM consolation, along with Pope John senior Sarah Slepian.
Mountain Lakes senior Erin Kiely crushed the previous area best in the 500 free, taking the sixth seed in 5:02.46. Sparta freshman Alexis Faria had personal bests in both the butterfly (area-best 56.85) and the 50 free. She advanced to the championship fly final with the seventh seed.
Mount Olive senior Amy Nemeth was a little nostalgic before the MOC had even started on Saturday morning. The only female Marauders swimmer all four years, Nemeth qualified for the consolation butterfly final.
"It puts, not just swimming, but high school in perspective," said Nemeth, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with Delaware. "The pressure's off, the nerves are off. I want to be here, because I love to race, and to represent my school. It's fun, and if good times come with it, that's a plus."
