Lake Mohawk swimmers defeat West Milford

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — The Lake Mohawk Hawks swim team defeated the West Milford Devil Rays on Aug.10 at the last home meet for the season. Lake Mohawk out-numbered and out-powered the West Milford team to win 336-212.
There were many highlights to the evening including the opening ceremony for outgoing senior swimmers and the unpredictable weather causing a 30-minute delay and later a flash downpour.
Four swimmers, all from Sparta and age 18, were recognized for their many years of being on the team: Valerie Russo, Chris Rudel, Emily Tighe, and Jarrod Schwesinger.
Special tribute was paid to them before the meet started. Fellow swimmers made a human tunnel for each senior to pass through while their name was announced. Lake Mohawk’s coach Tim Holovacs followed their grand entrances by taking the mic to comment about each swimmer:
“These four swimmers are some of the most consistent performers. They help us to do our best, and they are excellent examples for the swimmers coming up.”
Holovacs colleague Coach Sarah Pisano also commented:
“I remember when Chris, Emily and Jarrod were young swimmers on the team. It is awesome to see how far they have come over the years, and that they will be continuing to swim.”
In September, Rudel will attend Stevens Institute of Technology; Tighe will attend Catholic University, Schwesinger will attend St. Bonaventure, and Russo will attend Rowan.
The evening only got better for the Hawks as they went on to victory.