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Records Set, Records Broken in Gators' Season

 Round Top Swim ClubGator swim team members Matt Sardis, Megan Sardis and Julia Day broke pool records that have been on the record board for over 10 years.

Ray Diorio set the 50 Free record for 13-18 year old boys, and Julia Day set the 50 free record for the same age group.

Head Coach Ben Askin, who attends college at the College of New Jersey, looks forward to coaching this group of children every season.

"It is such a great feeling to end the season on a high note, this is a great group of kids to work with," Askin said after Wednesday's won against Metuchen.

Assistant Coach Josh Wilen was bittersweet about last night's victory—he will be attending Lehigh in the fall and last night was his final swim for the Round Top Gators. He placed first in all of his events and was especially proud of his first place finish in his favorite stroke the 100 Fly.

"I started swimming at Round Top when I was 4, and that started my passion for swimming," he said. Josh was captain of the WHRHS swim team, following in Ben Askin's footsteps.

Assistant Coach Lindsay Pearce, from Martinsville, has also been swimming for Round Top since an early age, but also swims year round for the Somerset Valley YMCA team. Lindsay is the more competetive coach of the group, and although happy about last nights win, said, "We still have alot of work to do—championships and conferences are coming up, and our swimmers must remain focused until the end."

Roundtop Swim Team consists of over 80 children ranging in age from 5 -18. These swimmers attend a daily practice which begins on June 1st and compete twice a week against area swim clubs.

"It is a great way to spend the summer, the kids learn a wonderful skill, learn about teamwork, get great exercise, and have a wonderful time," Katherine Kline-Smith, who has been involved with the swim team for over 10 years, said. 

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