Montclair State Swimmers Poised for NJAC and NCAA Championships
Montclair State University’s swimming and diving teams are gearing up for a crucial stretch of competition, beginning with the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) championships in Hampton, Virginia, and potentially culminating at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team’s performance over the next four days at the Hampton Aquaplex will determine which athletes advance to the national stage.
A Standout Group for Veteran Coach McLaughlin
Head coach Brian McLaughlin, who has led the program since the 1989–1990 season, believes this year’s team possesses a special quality. “I would say every few years, you get a good group,” McLaughlin stated. “A good group of leaders, a nice incoming class, a nice blend, and I think we have that.” This combination of experience and new talent has created a dynamic environment as the team prepares for the championship season.
Jarzab Breaks Program Record, Leads Men’s Team
Sophomore Peter Jarzab is a key contributor for the men’s team. He recently set a new program record in the 100 butterfly, clocking in at 49.08 seconds at the Gettysburg Invitational in December. This achievement marks a significant milestone, surpassing a record that had stood for nearly 50 years. “I knew I was close to it,” Jarzab said. “I knew I was able to get the time, and [being] able to do it in the middle of the season, during hard training, was impactful.”
Peralta Aims to Repeat NCAA Success for Women’s Team
The women’s team, which concluded the regular season with one more victory than the men, is spearheaded by senior Rourke Peralta. Peralta previously qualified for the NCAA championships, where she secured a win in the 100 free and established a new school record. This season, she dominated the Gettysburg Invitational, achieving the fastest times in the 50, 100, and 200 free, as well as the 50 and 100 fly. “It’s a long season, especially in a sport that’s seen as individual,” Peralta explained. “It can be hard sometimes, but we’re really close as a team. All of us together work really hard and we do a good job at supporting each other, so it makes the season more bearable when you have a lot of great people surrounding you.” Peralta heads into the 2026 NJAC Championships hoping to extend her season once again.
The Power of Hard Work
Both Jarzab and Peralta emphasized the importance of dedication and effort in their training. This ethos is visibly reinforced at the Panzer Athletic Center Pool, where a sign proclaiming “hard work works” serves as a constant reminder. The sign itself has an interesting history, having been “stolen by one of our former swimmers who’s a high-end club coach in New Jersey,” according to McLaughlin. He further explained that the sign had traveled across the country, originating in California and passing through New York City before arriving at Montclair State. “I just like the saying because there’s a lot of things you can do in programs, not just swimming, all sports, but the thing that works, and I think everyone would agree with this, hard work works, it’s [as] simple as that.”
The NJAC championship meets are scheduled for February 12–15, with the NCAA Division III Championships following from March 18–21. These upcoming competitions represent the culmination of a season built on dedication, teamwork, and a simple, yet powerful, philosophy: hard work truly does work.
