Mount St. Dominic Academy's Sophia Liwanag '25 Sets New School Record

Sophia Liwanag '25 made waves on January 15th by setting a new school record in the 100 Breaststroke with an impressive time of 1:05.97, surpassing the previous record of 1:07.01 set by Jasmine Spinelli '15. This showcased her remarkable talent, adding a new chapter to the school's swimming legacy.

In recent weeks, Mount St. Dominic Academy's swim team (8-2), led by a pair of Freshmen, Sonia Jogen and Alexa Whitworth; and record-breaker Liwanag, has displayed exceptional prowess and teamwork. Notable victories include the convincing first place wins by Riley Kopp ‘25 200 Free (2.04.68) and 500 Free 5.45.15; Jagen ‘27 in the 50 Free (.26.26) and 100 Free (.56.27); Liwanag 100 Fly (1.01.26) and Breast (1.09.01); Whitworth ‘27 100 Back (1.04.01); and the 400 FR Relay team of Caroline Rosieki ‘25, Kopp, Madison Gadjewski, and Whitworth, with a score of (4:01.69) This helped propel 4 seeded Mount over 5 seeded Pope John, 99-71 on February 8 in the Non Public A State Quarterfinals.

In the NJ Preps Championships on February 7, 2024, Mount St. Dominic faced tough competition, coming in 4th in the A division, with Liwanag taking 2nd Place Overall in the 100 Meter Butterfly. On February 1, 2024, against West Essex, the team continued their winning streak with a resounding victory of 133-33. Mount St. Dominic Academy's swimmers swept the meet delivering exceptional performances in various events. Kopp secured victory in the 100 Fly with a time of (1:13.79), while Liwanag dominated the 200 IM (2:26.17) and the 100 Breast (1:14.44). Jagen triumphed in the 200 Free, finishing at (2:16.51), and Cadence McGinley ‘24 showcased her speed in the 50 Free with a time of (0:28.78). Whitworth excelled in the 100 Free, clocking in at (1:00.77), and Elise McGirt ‘24 demonstrated endurance in the 500 Free with a winning time of (06:34.60). The relay teams further emphasized Mount St. Dominic's strength, with the 200 Free Relay (C. Rosieki, Madison Gadjewski, Maeko Marapao ‘25, and Jagen) claiming victory in (1:50.20) and the 400 Free Relay (Caitlyn Tagliareni ‘24, Cadence McGinley ‘24, Sydney Mchale ‘24, and McGirt) secured first place with a time of (4:34.23). These impressive performances underscore the team's skill and cohesion in the pool. The Lions finished the regular season with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, taking 3rd Place in the Super Essex Conference American Division.

Despite the heartbreaker meet on January 30, 2024, against Newark Academy, which ended with a score of 89-81 favoring the opponents, Mount St. Dominic showcased formidable achievements. Kopp's first-place finish in the 200 Free (2:05.62) and Liwanag's dominance in the 50 Free (0:25.74) were standout performances. On January 23, the team displayed exceptional prowess, securing victories in multiple events against Montclair Kimberley winning with a score of 119-51. The Mount’s swimmers demonstrated exceptional prowess. Kopp secured a win in the 200 IM (2:28.12), Liwanag excelled with first place in the 100 Fly (1:04.11), and C. Rosieki showcased her speed in the 50 Free (0:26.83). Jagen triumphed in the 100 Free (0:57.82), while McGirt and Kate Guinto ‘25 delivered strong performances in the 100 Breast (1:26.43). The relay teams further highlighted their dominance with the 200 MR relay team (Whitworth, Jagen, Liwanag, and Tagliareni) winning in (2:04.68), the 200 FR relay team (Whitworth, Kopp, C. Rosieki, and Gadjewski) securing victory with a time of (1:53.60), and the 400 FR relay team (Liwanag, Kopp, C. Rosieki, and Jagen) finishing first in (4:10.61).

Mount St. Dominic's swim team, currently boasting an 8-2 record in the season, is gearing up for an anticipated State Finals meet against top seeded Immaculate Heart Academy, on February 12, who remains undefeated with an 8-0 record. With both teams showcasing impressive performances, the upcoming clash promises to be a thrilling encounter at 5:30 pm.

Here’s how the other teams fared:

Basketball (10-10)

The Mount rallied from a challenging stretch, clinching a decisive 48-35 victory against Caldwell on Thursday, February 8. Bella Iannitelli ‘27 led the charge by contributing 14 points and 7 rebounds. Maddie Natale ‘25 added 12 points, including two 3-pointers, while also making contributions with two rebounds and three assists. This triumph marked a celebratory return to form after the team faced three consecutive losses.

The journey included a tough 53-39 loss to Newark Academy on February 6 and earlier defeats in the Quarterfinal Round of the Essex County Tournament against 4 seeded Newark Academy on February 3rd.

On Saturday, January 27, the 4 seed Lions showcased their prowess in the Essex County Tournament's First Round, dominating 12th-seeded Payne Tech with a commanding 75-42
victory. Natale's outstanding performance of 21 points complemented Iannitelli's impressive 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Lions established a formidable 44-25 lead at halftime and continued their dominance in the second half, outscoring Payne Tech 31-17.

Prior to this, on Tuesday, January 23, the Mount displayed their tenacity in a hard-fought victory over Columbia. Iannitelli's versatility was on full display with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Natale contributed 9 points and secured an impressive 13 rebounds. This 44-37 win set the stage for the Lions'; subsequent success in the Essex County Tournament.

As The Mount looks ahead, the recent victory against Caldwell serves as a testament to their determination to overcome setbacks and build momentum. The team's journey, marked by individual contributions and collective resilience, paints a narrative of triumph and perseverance on the basketball court.

Looking to the future, The Mount is set to face West Orange on 2/12, West Essex on 2/13, and Verona on 2/15, ready to carry the momentum from their recent victory into these upcoming challenges.

Winter Track

The Mount's Winter Track team has been achieving notable success in recent competitions. On February 8 at the Gill St. Bernards Shot Put Invitational, Adrianna Cacciacarne ‘24 secured 1st place, while Natalia Feliz ‘25 claimed the 5th spot. The team's strong performance continued on January 28 at the Essex County Championship at Ocean Breeze, where Riley Merklinger ‘24 showcased her prowess with 5th place in the 55 Meter and 6th place in the 200 Meter. Additionally, Cacciacarne demonstrated skill, earning 6th place in Shot Put.

Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for the Non-public A Group Championships on February 16, where they will face multiple opponents. The Mount's track athletes continue to impress with their outstanding achievements, and the upcoming competition promises to be another exciting showcase of their talent and determination.