Jessica Malocha (Sr.) has 26 wins this season for the Pascack Girls Swimming team and 11 of them have come in January. She gives credit to the team’s chemistry for her success.
“I would say that I guess the team morale is really good this year. We all show up to practice,” Malocha said.
The Pascack Girls Swimming team has finished its regular season with an 8-0 record. A big part of the team’s undefeated season was Malocha. Malocha gives credit to Coach Shawn Buchanan for being able to motivate the team to want to show up to practice.
“Buchanan is more strict, but in a good way,” Malocha said. “He motivates us to be there and so I think by all of us going and spending time together, it is definitely a good team bonding practice every morning.”
Buchanan reciprocated the leadership feelings by giving credit to Malocha for being the leader of the team.
“Jess is a fantastic leader,” Buchanan said. “She obviously is a fierce competitor in the pool, but more importantly, she’s just a great leader for the team. She’s just a remarkable captain for the team. And her swimming ability is really phenomenal.”
Malocha broke her arm at eight years old doing gymnastics and her mom made her choose a different sport to play that wasn’t a land sport. Malocha decided swimming was the option for her and now wants to continue in college whether it be at a Division 1, 2, or 3 level or club.
Being a swimmer for nine years now, Malocha has a lot of memories, but one in particular for her was beating Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) this year.
“Honestly, I don’t know if I have a number one favorite but I definitely think one of my favorites is when we beat PCTI this year,” Malocha said. “That was definitely a really good moment.”
This win over PCTI was the first victory over PV against PCTI since the 2017-2018 season.
Superstitions also play a big part in the success that Malocha has as a swimmer.
“Yeah I have a lot [superstitions],” Malocha said. “I guess one of them is I only wear one specific type of goggles and that’s the only one I can wear.”
Malocha ended January by setting a new school record and looks to continue her success into the state tournament and her future.
