Swimming, to most, is simply a leisure activity in the warm months of summer. From riding the waves of the ocean to playing water games in the pool, it’s a common way to cool down and relax after a long day in the scorching summer heat.

To the Hillsborough girls swim team, however, swimming is anything but a leisurely activity.

Taking the seemingly leisure activity to the next level, Boro girls swim actively competes with surrounding schools in meets and spends hours in the water practicing at the YMCA facilities.

Last year, the team had an almost spotless record of 10-2 with a strong senior class that gave the team just what they needed to reach the semifinals of the NJSIAA Public A Tournament last season. One of the graduating seniors of last year was Meghan Bull who currently swims for William and Mary. With her own vast improvements in time and strong contribution, the team was a force to reckon with.

This year, after losing many key seniors, the team is being fueled by the returning team members in addition to a new unstoppable force: a freshman. Specifically, Danielle D’Ambrosio is a swim star on the rise.

D’Ambrosio, alongside returning member Alexandra Temple, are two of the team’s top performers. In their meet against Montgomery on Dec. 12, D’Ambrosio won the 200 free with a time of 2:13.51 in addition to the 100 free in 1:01.26.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know some of the other swimmers,” D’Ambrosio says. “My goal is to get some best times and just have fun while doing it.”

In defeating Montgomery with a final score of 119 to 51, the team is quickly making its way to a season full of well earned wins. So far, the team holds a record of 2-1.

Hillsborough’s biggest competition this year is Bridgewater, as per usual. The two rivals went head to head on Dec. 19 and the Boro girls swim team suffered a devastating lost by a score of 123-47.

“Losing to Bridgewater definitely is upsetting, but it only makes us stronger as a team,”  junior Sankya Parvatrao says. “After a loss we are upset for only a short while but mainly focus on bouncing back with the strength and motivation needed to win the next meet.”

This season of girls swim is bound to be full of many wins and more importantly friendships between its new and returning members. The team’s next meet is on Jan. 9 in Hillsborough against Ridge at 3:00 p.m.