The Trinity Hall Monarchs wrapped up their third swimming season by winning the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship. The Monarchs scored a 100-70 victory over Villa Walsh Academy to win the program’s first NJSIAA state championship.
The team, comprised of freshmen, sophomores and juniors, showed no signs of slowing down following their historic win at the NJSIAA Prep States earlier this month, which was the program’s first state championship.
The NJSIAA championship meet was held Feb. 20 at The College of New Jersey.
Trinity Hall won eight of 11 events on the way to capturing the Non-Public B title, including wins in the 200-yard Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay. Individually, junior Malia Wolf won the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly and junior Caroline Gmelich came away with two wins in the 200 Individual Medley (IM) and 100 backstroke. Lily Scott took first in the 100 freestyle and second in the 50 freestyle, while Isabelle Pabon placed first in the 500 freestyle and second in the 200 freestyle. Scott and Pabon are also juniors.
“When we started this program, we knew we would have a shot at winning this state title in our fourth year, but the fact that we accomplished that goal in just three seasons is a true testament to the hard work these swimmers put in all season,” head coach Alyssa Morreale said in a prepared statement from the school. “I am proud of how much they have grown as athletes and teammates in such a short time, and I’m thrilled to see them appreciate and enjoy this important achievement for our team — and for Trinity Hall.”
The Monarchs’ historic season began with their victory at the New NJSIAA Prep State Swimming Championships in the B Division, scoring 169 points overall. The meet, held at The Lawrenceville School, featured strong finishes from the Monarchs’ relay teams as well as the team’s individual swimmers.
Gmelich was named Swimmer of the Meet for the B Division after taking first in the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke, setting a new meet and pool record in that event and bettering her own school records in both events.
Wolf won the 200 freestyle in school-record time and the 100 butterfly. The 200 Medley Relay team of Gmelich, Wolf, Joyce and Scott took second, as did the 400 freestyle relay team of Gmelich, Joyce, Wolf and Pabon.
Trinity Hall is located in the Leonardo section of Middletown.
