NJ Swim Team Sheds Underdog Label, Wins State Title

The Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers walked into the state finals with a point to prove, and they did it in spectacular fashion, defeating Cherry Hill East 102.5 to 67.5 to claim the Group A state title.

For head coach Chris Levin, this championship felt different than the previous four he'd won with the program. Those teams were favorites from day one, but this squad started as the underdog nobody saw coming.

"What these girls have done this year is unlike anything I've seen in my 21 years," Levin said after hoisting his fifth state championship trophy. The Panthers entered the postseason as a three seed in a tough sectional bracket, then pulled off two major upsets to reach the finals.

The team's depth made all the difference. In their championship performance, Bridgewater-Raritan won nine events and didn't place last in a single race. Gia LaRosa, Lily Tamedl, and Ricca Castone swept the top three spots in the 200 free, giving their team a commanding 33-13 lead after just two events.

Freshman Mila Daniels won both the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly with personal bests in each race. Senior Merah DeRosa claimed victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle, outpacing Cherry Hill East's best sprinters in head-to-head battles that could have swung the meet.

The senior class made this comeback possible. After the program's last state title in 2019, Bridgewater-Raritan struggled through several seasons of early tournament exits. This group helped the Panthers win their first sectional championship in four years last winter, then pushed through to capture the state crown this season.

Why This Inspires

The turnaround shows what happens when a team refuses to accept lower expectations. Bridgewater-Raritan could have been satisfied with their underdog story and a good postseason run. Instead, they used doubts from others as fuel to prove they were championship caliber all along.

Senior Kimaya Desai summed up the bittersweet moment perfectly: "This win gives us a huge boost, and it sets us up for next year too. I'm obviously happy we got the win, but I don't want to leave this team."

With several talented underclassmen returning next season, including freshman standout Daniels, the Panthers have positioned themselves for another run at glory. DeRosa captured what it means to be part of something rare: "So few people get to be part of something this special."

The underdog label is gone now, replaced by a sixth state championship banner.