Kean Swimmers Win NJAC Awards as Winning Streak Continues

By Hector Morales | Published November 18, 2022

For the first time since February 4, 1986, the Kean Women’s Swimming Team defeated the defending New Jersey Athletics Conference Champion and preseason favorite Rowan University Profs with a final score of 148-114.

“I’m really happy that we have gone so far and looking forward to seeing what comes next,” fifth-year head coach Chris Swenson said. 

Sophomore swimmer Teagan Powell touched first in both the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events. Her time of 1:07.57 in the 100-yard is the fastest in the NJAC and second-fastest in the Met Conference so far this season. 

Her time of 2:30.65 in the 200 is also the fastest in the NJAC and third in the Met. This strong performance earned Powell her first NJAC Player of the Week award of the season and her second overall for her career.

“It’s really awesome, but I couldn’t have done it without my team and the support from all of them,” Powell said. 

Kean is one of the youngest swimming teams in the NJAC this season. Including the NJAC Rookie of the Week three recipient, Abby Burns is a freshman majoring in interior design. Burns is the second Cougar to earn NJAC Rookie of the Week, after freshman swimmer Ashley Konz who won the award in week 1. 

“It’s really exciting,” Burns said. “I wasn’t expecting it so it was a shock, but I’m happy about it.”

Burns touched first in both the 100-yard butterfly (59.58) and 200-yard freestyle (1:59.96), both of which ranked as the fastest times in the NJAC this season and second-fastest in the Met Conference.

Swenson was pleased with Powell and Burns earning their awards and he is looking forward to the talent they will have to offer. 

“Obviously I was very proud,” Swenson said. “We have swimmers who earned NJAC honors, and they deserved it the way they swam against Rowan.” 

Even though Kean is one of the youngest teams in the division, their team chemistry is what Swenson believes will help them succeed moving forward. 

“This is by far the closest team we have had,” Swenson said. “It allows us to have better training.”

The coach added that the team has more freshmen than returnees and “they did a really good job of blending in.”

Powell will push herself to her limits as she will enjoy her Kean career with the team she loves swimming for.  

“It’s fantastic,” Powell said. “I don’t think I have ever been closer to a team before.”

Burns was amazed by the teammates she had made new friends with, and she is excited of what she and her team is going to accomplish for the rest of her swimming career.

“I just can’t wait to see what everyone does,” Burns said. “I feel like we are all working hard right now and we’re going to improve a lot in the next couple of months.” 

The Cougars now have a 4-0 overall record and a 2-0 conference record as of Oct. 30. Swenson and his team will prepare themselves for week 4 as they get ready to face another conference rival, Montclair State University RedHawks on Nov. 12.

---