Sports

Montclair High Swimmer, Fencing Squad Honored By Freeholders

Charlotte O'Leary and the entire boy's épée squad received recognition for their respective victories in state championships this year.

It's been an exceptional year for the Montclair High School swimming and fencing teams.

The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored five students for winning or participating on the winning state championship squad at its meeting May 6.

Freeholders honored Charlotte O'Leary for winning the state championship in swimming and the boy’s épée squad: Lucas Della Bella, Matthew Schattner, Hudson Harriman-Smith and Gabriel Canaux.

Della Bella also received recognition for winning the épée state championship with a 5-0 fence off.

O'Leary, 15, is the first Montclair High female swimmer to win an individual state championship since 1987 when she snagged the win for the 100-meter breaststroke earlier this month.

The épée squad won its second-consecutive championship at the  New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Squad Fencing Championships in February. The team had a record of 36-9 this season.

“The thing I’m most proud of with these guys is the way they competed," Coach Michael McTigue said. “They kept an even keel, supported one another, and despite the grueling schedule, kept a sense of humor. It was a pleasure to coach them.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here