Devilfish Cap Successful Summer Long Course Season

The Westfield Area Y Devilfish Swim Team concluded its summer long course season by delivering its strongest team performance at the national level in nine years. The local squad finished its run at the Nationals competition by matching up against 94 teams and 775 competitive swimmers from across the country.

The Devilfish sent one of its youngest rosters in program history to the championship meet, maintaining an average athlete age of 15.8 years. Union County Life discovered that nearly 70 percent of the team's individual swims resulted in personal best times, with every participating athlete recording at least two personal bests during the multi-day event. Devilfish swimmers successfully qualified for the finals during every single evening session of the five-day national meet.

Individual record-breakers led the local effort. Sophia Paterson established a new Devilfish program record in the 50 Breaststroke with a time of 34.41 seconds, securing a Futures qualifying time and placing 14th in the nation. Liam Quayle broke the team record in the 200 Backstroke with a time of 2:14.51 to finish 18th nationally. Additionally, 14-year-old Olivia Babeu placed 17th in the 200 Breaststroke, becoming one of the youngest Devilfish swimmers to ever score points at the national event. Alex Giangone added a 19th-place finish in the 200 Butterfly, and two of the team's freestyle relays finished in the top 20. Every single athlete from the summer Nationals roster has already secured qualifying times to return to the meet in 2027.

FAQ:
Q: How did the Westfield Devilfish perform at the summer Nationals?
A: The team recorded its best overall performance at Nationals in nine years, with nearly 70 percent of their swims marking personal best times.

Q: Who broke individual team records for the Westfield swim team this summer?
A: Sophia Paterson set a new team record in the 50 Breaststroke, and Liam Quayle broke the program record in the 200 Backstroke.

Q: When does the new swim season begin for the Westfield Area Y team?
A: The swim team carries its summer momentum directly into the new season as official practices begin on September 8.