Before the meet, coach Mike Ives told his team a tale about an underdog swimming squad upsetting a juggernaut program that had won 22 championships.

Although the Norsemen were unable to do the same, the defeat hasn’t drowned any of the positives of the team’s sensational season.

Demarest put up a good fight taking first place honors in three events, but Northern Highlands spoiled any attempt for a Norsemen comeback. The Highlanders swam away with a 97-73 victory in front of a mixed crowd at the Passaic Technical and Vocational County High School Feb. 19 to win the Public 1-B title.

"No matter how many points were scored, as long as we give it 100 percent that’s all that matters," said Sevryn Shelesky. "That’s a victory to us."

Smiles were seen along the Demarest sideline and also in the stands, as the faithful fans that made the trek west applauded their team’s effort.

"My swimmers did great today," said Ives. "You can’t take anything away from Northern Highlands, but everyone on my team stepped up. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys and it was a team effort."

Ives did say there were some pleasant surprises, which included Arthur Hong taking first place in the 100-meter butterfly. Another bright spot for the Norsemen was senior Jesse Taylor, who in his last year wanted to make this sectional event special.

"It’s a great feeling," said Taylor. "We’ve been at the sectionals before and it’s always one of the best times for me. Being at the sectionals also gives the underclassmen a chance to experience what it’s like to compete with the top teams."

When asked to describe Taylor, Ives just smiled and said, "Jesse Taylor doesn’t feel pain, is the most determined swimmer I’ve ever seen and always wills himself to accomplish anything.

"The crowd was chanting his name at the end of the meet and that tells you how great of a swimmer he really is."

In the 500 freestyle, Taylor fiddled with his goggles before being the last swimmer to step up on the starting blocks in lane 3. As the starting buzzer sounded, Taylor dove in the water and after the first lap emerged in second place behind Highlander Matt Alfonso.

"He (Alfonso) was a couple feet ahead, but that’s usually how I start out," said Taylor. "I want to get a feel and judge how I should attack my opponent."

At lap 11, Taylor made his move and with a lunging burst moved into first place.

"I pushed him (Alfonso) and got him tired out," said Taylor.

In every lap after that the Demarest swimmer tacked seconds on to his lead. As the event ended, Taylor popped up from the water and looked up at the scoreboard. The long distance swimmer saw that he won by 6.76 seconds, smiled and gave a quick nod to his team on the side of the pool.

"Endurance is a big part of the 500 freestyle and 50 percent of it is being mentally tough," said Taylor. "It’s important to stretch out your strokes and that’s why I was able to take first."

Other key contributions came from Max Bosco, Joe Conti, Issac Kim and Shelesky.

"We’re not disappointed at all not winning the sectionals," said Shelesky. "What’s more important is that everyone improved."

Kim agreed and added, "Today everyone contributed, swam really well and I’m glad the way the program is able to maintain that tradition of excellence every year."

After the meet was over, Ives took his swimmers to the end of the pool and rehashed the story he told his swimmers before the meet. Although the end result wasn’t the same as the story, Demarest encompassed all the right characteristics.

"Just like that team I spoke about before the meet, my team never went away and kept on fighting and grinding," said Ives. "I’m proud of them and they kept running all year to will themselves through."

Demarest finished with a 9-4 record and were co-league champions, winning their sixth consecutive league title. Depth has been the key to the Norsemen’s success.

"Of course we work hard, but it’s our depth that puts us over the top," said Conti.

Two other highlights during the season were a January meet against Indian Hills, where a decisive victory boosted the team’s confidence.

Another was at the league championships. Ives calls that event "our day."

Demarest has relied on team togetherness to propel each individual on the team to perform to their top level.

"I didn’t expect this season to go this well," said Conti. "I knew we’d go pretty far, but it was our hard work and determination that brought us here.

"I wouldn’t have it any other way."