The Accents Player of the Week is someone who is dominant in their sport while also being an influential teammate. The next featured athlete is Junior, Kelly McDermott for swimming. Swimming is one of IHA’s most elite sports as they rank second in the entire state. They have an undefeated record with five wins, and Kelly is responsible for leading this team to victory.

Kelly started participating the sport when she was only seven years old. She began to take swim lessons and eventually realized she had a true passion for the water. Kelly then tried out for a team and has developed remarkably since. She also knew it was the sport for her when she realized, no other sport can compare with swimming.

Kelly’s athletic abilities and dedication to the sport led her to be on Varsity team for her three years at IHA. Kelly places first on her team in the 200 Freestyle with a time of 2:01.74 and 100 Backstroke with 1:02.38. She ranks second in the 100 Freestyle with 58.12 and the 50 Freestyle with 26.83. As a team, Kelly’s team places first in the 200 Medley Relay with 1:56.80. She also places third on her team in the 100 Butterfly with 1:12.09.

Kelly competing in a 200 Freestyle at one of her meets! Photo Courtesy of NJ.com.

In addition to participating the sport she loves with her teammates, she also makes lasting memories. Kelly recalled her memory from her three years of IHA Swimming. “My favorite memory from IHA swimming was anchoring a relay at a meet against Scotch Plains-Fanwood. The meet was super close, and everyone needed to do their absolute best if we wanted to win the meet. I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. I could hear the whole team cheering. There are truly no words to describe the feeling of 45 girls pouring everything they have into one goal. Since then, I’ve felt the same support and excitement from my team, but this was when I learned what it meant to be part of the IHA swimming family. “

Kelly swims for a club team, the Wyckoff YMCA Sharks. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Traffic Safety Squad. Kelly plans to further her academic and swimming career once she reaches college. We wish Kelly the best of luck in her club and high school swimming seasons!

By Brooke Marotti’21, Sports Editor