"I'm proud of the team. It's an important win," Boardman said. "I told the girls to be happy and then get over it. We've got counties and states coming up."
The Colts, who took first in nine of 11 events, were ecstatic after defeating the Lakers, 95-75.
Boardman intention wasn't to spoil the celebration or wipe the smiles off his swimmers' faces. He just wanted to ensure they don't get too carried away with their convincing win and lose focus.
Freshman Mackenzie Heffernan certainly was excited. Heffernan was first in the 100 butterfly, second in the 200 individual medley and part of the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams.
She understood the importance of beating the Lakers because of her older sister, Rebecca, now at Drexel University. Last winter, Mountain Lakes came away with a sectional title, ousting Kinnelon.
"This is so good," Heffernan said. "We've been working on this for awhile. We've come so far in the past few years. I'm very happy."
Heffernan, toiling of late to perfect her push off the wall, was pleased with her showing in the meet.
"I was able to give it my all. I didn't hold back in any of my races," she said. "I did well in the 200 IM and felt I could bring it back in the 100."
Abby Fisher, Christina Cirillo and Meghan Thompson excelled as well for the Colts, taking the gold in two events apiece.
Fisher, a junior, claimed the 200 freestyle (1:56.89) and the 100 breaststroke (1:08.43). Cirillo took the 200 IM (2:13.49) and 100 breaststroke (1:08.43). Thompson garnered top honors in the 50 freestyle (24.65) and 100 freestyle (53.61).
Senior Candice Barrett, who is not a club swimmer, had much to do with the outcome, finishing third in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Barrett was on the 200 freestyle relay team that was second.
"Candice was unbelievable," Boardman said. "That's senior leadership. Freshmen can look up to her. That's needed. It's good to have a combination of senior leadership and young talent."
Cirillo, Fisher, Heffernan and Andrea Vazquez comprised Kinnelon's 200 medley relay team. Cirillo, Thompson, Heffernan and Nicole Caci swam the 400 freestyle relay for the Colts.
Mountain Lakes' Erin Kiely won the 500 freestyle in 5:24.10. Kiely then teamed up with Emily Zimmerman, Meghan Kiely and Emily Tsang to take the 200 freestyle relay.
"Since I've been coaching (six years), we've never beaten Mountain Lakes," Boardman said. "We got closer and closer with each meet. I thought we had a chance this year more than any other year. Winning today definitely validates our team.
Lakers junior Keavy Gill, of course, didn't want to lose but wasn't upset by falling to what she termed "a great team."
"Kinnelon did a great job and deserved to win," Gill said. "It's sad losing, especially to a team we share the pool with. We have a lot of friends on the team. They were pumped for it. If you lose to someone, it may as well be one like Kinnelon.
