The Pascack Valley Girls Swim Team was named Team of the Year by the Bergen County Coaches Association. This is the second time in program history they have received this honor, the first being in 2012.

When Coach Shawn Buchanan, who was named Big North – Liberty Conference Coach of the Year, described the team’s accomplishment as a great honor. 

“The fellow coaches showing respect to our program is what stood out to me,” Buchanan said. “The coaches recognized that we have a young team and a successful team.” 

Buchanan has ensured that the core of the program has never changed. The group of kids has a team-first mentality and puts the team goals above any personal goals.

This year’s team always came together and, as Buchanan put it, “rose to the occasion.” 

The girls team finished with a record of 4-4. They also went 3-1 in the Big North – Liberty League. 

This year’s boys and girls teams had five captains and two of the captains were from Valley – Sean Bramley (Sr.) and Amanda Bramley (Jr.).

This season, Bramley earned a spot on the First Team All-County. In swimming, if you win your event, you’re on the first team for county selections. Bramley won the 100-meter backstroke race. 

She qualified for the State Meet of Champions, where she placed sixth with a time of 57.30 seconds. She is the fourth swimmer in Pascack Valley history to have the opportunity to participate in this event.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to experience such a competitive meet,” Bramley said. “There were swimmers from all over the state that are ranked top in the country, so it was a total honor to swim alongside them.”

Coach Buchanan always values team accomplishments and accolades more than individual ones, as a great deal of recognition often goes to individual awards. 

“It is very humbling and great to be recognized for all our hard work,” the coach said. “This is the greatest award you can get on the county level.”