BY ANALISE SAINVIL
In a tough season for the boys and girls swim teams, Madelyn and Tyler Hopkins made history with their record-breaking performances.
Although the teams combined for just one team win this season, Tyler and Madelyn have had a positive impact on the team. “They contribute a lot because they are both super-fast and they help us score points,” said junior Jake Babst, who helped the team earn a win over Monroe with first place finishes in the 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter medley relay.
Madelyn Hopkins set a new school record in the 500-yard freestyle, breaking her own record. “Breaking my previous record in the 500-yard freestyle was one of my main goals for the season,” said Madelyn.
Throughout the season, she put in a lot of effort, which helped improve her time by 0.4 seconds to 5:16:84. “I think the work I put in through the season really paid off in the end,” stated Madelyn.
As Madelyn gets ready to graduate, she will continue her swimming career. “I am committed to swimming Division 1 at Iona University,” said Madelyn.
Tyler Hopkins has also made headlines by breaking a long-standing school record in the 100-yard backstroke. His time of 53.69 seconds broke the 20-year-old record set by Mike Pietrusinski in 2005. “Breaking the record was a great accomplishment, and it was something I’ve been working toward and happy that I did it at GMCs,” shared Tyler.
As a dedicated swimmer, Tyler always looks for ways to improve his performance. His hard work in and out of the pool helped him reach this milestone. “Before the race and during the race I wasn’t thinking about the record,” said Tyler. “I was just thinking about swimming well and scoring points for my team.”
Tyler remains focused on improving his performance and increasing the team’s success next season. “As I look forward to next season, I’m focused on swimming well and doing well as a team,” said Tyler. “Breaking another record would be very cool, but it is not my main priority.”
Tyler and Madelyn’s performances have made an impression on Old Bridge High Schools’s swim team. “It inspires all of us to try and break those records,” stated Babst.
Yaroslav Zaletskiy, who earned two second-place finishes as sophomore, makes the tunr between laps. 
Senior Madelyn Hopkins proudly showcases her well-earned medals at the GMC Tournament. 
Mohamed Elmokadeum, who notched seven first-place finishes as a senior, briefly rises up the water surface while swimming the butterfly stroke.
Posted on 3/4/25
Photos by Caitlin LaFlower
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