By Tim Kelly
The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol made a great showing Sunday in the South Jersey Pool Competition at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center’s pool.
Sea Isle, which finished third last year, tied for second this time around, with the Brigantine Beach Patrol. The host patrol, Ocean City, took the overall championship.
“I’m proud of our team,” said Sea Isle Coach Doug Nowak. “We scored in 11 of the meet’s 12 events.”
Ryan Pedrick took first place in the 50 freestyle, his third consecutive gold medal in the event, and swam freestyle on the third-place medley relay team, anchoring the relay of Zach Emerson, Jerry Joyce (who also took third place in the 100 meter breast stroke) and John Truax.
Pedrick also anchored the third place 400 freestyle relay with Emerson, Joyce and Tim Rafter.
“Tying for second was a great result for us,” Nowak said. “Every patrol in South Jersey is invited to compete.”
“Our good showing capped a big weekend for our patrol,” said Kowal. “Yesterday we hosted the annual one mile Open Ocean Swim, which drew 249 competitors and 230 finishers. This was a nice way to end the weekend.”
Sea Isle also got a big effort from rookie guard Christina Paspalas who took second in the women’s 100 meter freestyle and was on the third place medley relay team with Abby Henne, Maddy Lewis and Paige Griesse.
The second place result was big for Sea Isle because seedings and lane assignments for next year’s race were at stake.
“You’re always looking to improve, and we made progress (over 2018),” Nowak said.
