North Jersey Barracudas make waves in long course

The North Jersey Barracudas club swimming team, based out of Blair Academy and Kittatinny Regional High School, recently completed their first long-course season. Long-course takes place in an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool.
Among their group, 13 of their qualified swimmers competed at silver/bronze long-course championships at Berkeley Aquatic Club, and five swimmers made it to Junior Olympics long-course Championships at Rutgers University.
Of the combined 68 swims, dozens of career best times were breached, qualifying times were achieved, and gold medals were taken home.
The season ended with Jake Riva and Samantha Russell making waves all the way up in Buffalo, N.Y., at Eastern Zones Senior Championships.
Despite competing against some of the best swimmers in the Northeast — aging from 13 to 32 — the two left their mark on the old town.
Jake Riva, in his seven events, finished his season with several career best times as well as a Top-24 finish in his 100 meter backstroke.
Samantha Russell competed in four events and earned all-career best times. Between the two swimmers in their combined 12 splashes, they amassed a total time drop of over 27 seconds.
Registration for the North Jersey Barracudas short-course season, which runs from September to March, is now open. For more information, visit www.njbarracudas.com.