The Blue Streaks fell to Bernards 97-73 on Feb. 10, snapping their incredible dual meet winning streak at 44.
It's hard to imagine experiencing your first loss of your high school career in the final dual meet of your senior season.
But that's what Warren Hills swimmer Hunter Page recently went through.
The Blue Streaks fell to Bernards 97-73 on Feb. 10, snapping their incredible dual meet winning streak at 44. That's almost five seasons worth of victories.
"Obviously it was upsetting to lose our last meet of the season in that fashion, but that isn't to overshadow all of the accomplishments this team has obtained. One season undefeated, much less four? To think that we could do that is mind blowing," Page said.
"I choose to focus on the amazing success of our team," first-year coach Dave Rader said. "Our winning streak was phenomenal but like anything it had to end some time. The disappointment of the first loss was tempered by the facts that our team swam flawlessly, set two new personal records and lost to a team that was better than us. Very few high school athletes can compete in a varsity level sport for four years and win all but one dual meet. My boys are members of a very select group.
While it was our goal to complete a fifth undefeated season, I was as proud of the way they handled the loss as I have been proud of the way they handled their numerous wins. Following their loss, they demonstrated gracious sportsmanship and congratulated the swimmers from Bernards. Naturally we were all disappointed but there was no blame."
Page, who has set or been a part of six team records this season, now turns his focus to Friday and Saturday's Meet of Champions where he will swim in the 50 freestyle and the 200 free relay. He will swim with Ethan Smith, Micha'l Breslin and Tim Gilbert in the relay.
"I hope our relay goes a best time and hopefully makes it back to finals at Meet of Champions," Page said. In terms of my 50 free, I hope to go a best time and make it back to finals, and possibly go under 22 seconds."
Page, a three-time Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex champion in the 50 freestyle, set the Warren Hills record of 22.13 in the event this season. He also set team records in the 100 butterfly (53.87) and the 100 freestyle (49.37) this season.
The Warren Hills' 200 free relay team set the school record of 1:33.34 in the H/W/S meet. Page, Smith, Breslin and Justin Lewis set the Warren Hils record in the 200 medley relay with a 1:44.37 in the Skyland Conference championships. Page, Smith, Gilbert and Austin Viotto swam a 3:29.64 in the 400 free relay against Bernards to break the school record.
"I have been blessed this year with a team that I have maintained is the best I have experienced," Rader said. "Their skill, focus, maturity and work ethic set them apart. My senior captains, Hunter Page, Justin Lewis, Tommy O'Brien, and Mark Barillari were the catalyst, leading by example. There are no shortcuts to success in the pool. What made this winning streak possible was the combined efforts of many talented swimmers. I couldn't be prouder of them."
And without Page's leadership and record-breaking performances, the Blue Streaks' amazing streak might not have been possible.
"Hunter is a coaches' dream," Rader said. "He has all the qualities of a champion and is a team player in addition to being an outstanding swimmer. He willingly shares his expertise and has a phenomenal work ethic."
"My career here at Warren Hills has been fantastic. I could not have asked for a better high school and swim program to be a part of," Lewis said. "I love all of the coaching staff and the swimmers and the environment in general. The bonds shared with my teammates before, during and after every practice and meet and the bus rides are priceless and I would not exchange them for anything. We are more than teammates here at Warren Hills. We are family."
Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook