News Summary

Columbia High School’s boys and girls swimming teams have excelled this season, securing impressive runner-up positions in key competitions. Led by standout junior Mason Keith, who earned First Team honors, the teams have collectively raised the bar, showcasing their skills and determination. Meanwhile, the school has also unveiled the Alumni Commons, a new space for students, as part of a significant improvement plan. With a historic return to the state finals on the horizon, Columbia’s swimmers are making waves both in the pool and in the community.

Columbia Swimmers Make a Splash!

Located in the heart of the community, Columbia High School (CHS) is making waves in the swimming arena! This year, their boys swimming team showcased an impressive talent pool, wrapping up the season as the runner-up in both the Essex County/Super Essex Conference Championships and the North 1 Group A state sectional tournament of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. With a solid record of 10 wins and 2 losses, including 6 wins and 1 loss in the SEC-American Division, it’s safe to say that Columbia’s swimmers are making some serious noise!

Mason Keith: A Standout Performer

One of the stars of the team is junior Mason Keith, who not only snagged First Team honors for the 100-yard breaststroke but also mulled over the coveted Cullen Jones Award—an award given to the top boys swimmer during the county/conference championships. What a phenomenal achievement!

Add to that the remarkable teamwork displayed by Keith alongside senior Henry Herbst, junior Hamish Wilson-Webb, and senior Luke Robinson, who all found a spot on the Second Team for the 200 medley relay. Not stopping there, Wilson-Webb also garnered Second Team honors in the 200 individual medley, while Robinson took a spot on the Second Team for the 100 freestyle.

Girls’ Team Makes Their Mark

The CHS girls’ swimming team made significant progress as well. Senior Lilah Secher earned a spot on the Second Team for the 100 backstroke, while senior Ava Lee received Honorable Mention. It’s heartening to see both teams collectively raising the bar!

New Spaces for Future Scholars

In addition to their sporting triumphs, Columbia High School also unveiled the Alumni Commons, a fresh space designated for juniors and seniors. This newly created area is located where the school’s previous pool once thrived until it succumbed to safety concerns back in 2016. The Alumni Commons is set to be a hub for collaboration, study sessions, tutoring, and, of course, lunch breaks!

The transformation of the pool area into this modern commons is part of a larger, ambitious plan totaling over $185 million in building improvements across the district schools. The need for a swimming pool did spark a debate in the community, as a coalition named “Save Our Kids Pool” voiced concerns regarding swim equity and public safety.

Competitive Spirit Shines Bright

Speaking of competitive spirit, just last week, Columbia squared off against Verona High School, where they celebrated a resounding victory with scores showing 99-71 for the girls and a staggering 133-27 for the boys. In this match-up, Verona swimmers Vicky Sluk and Charlotte Roeland broke school records in individual events, proving that both teams are fighting fiercely in the pool.

Verona plans to send an impressive 10 swimmers to the upcoming Super Essex Conference/Essex County Swimming Championships, which only adds to the excitement as the competition heats up!

On to State Finals!

Looking ahead, both Columbia and Ridgewood will face off in the NJSIAA boys swimming public sectional finals on February 13, marking a historic moment for Columbia—a return to the finals for the first time in over a decade! With standout swimmer Mason Keith at the helm, who recently shattered existing meet records in both the 50 freestyle and the breaststroke, there’s plenty of buzz in the air.

Columbia High School continues to churn out incredible talent, whether in the pool or in their new collaborative spaces. Here’s to all the swimmers making a splash this season!

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