Fair Lawn Swimmers Having Record-Breaking Season

One Fair Lawn High School swimmer has broken the girls swim team all-time points record and another is coming close to taking the boys team record.

Senior Kelly Kortes has earned 648 points so far — the season isn't over yet — passing the previous record of 619.5 points.

Kortes, who has swam all four years of high school, said she didn't even realize she had been close to the record and didn't find out she had beaten it until the team was riding the bus home after the meet.

"We're all very team-oriented, so I was focused more on the boys and girls team victory," Kortes said.

Coach Rick Kelly attributed Kortes' success to her hard work, balancing both club and school swimming, along with her duties as captain.

"She's very committed to her high school team," Kelly said.

Both teams are having a positive season so far, with the boys currently going undefeated at 12-0 and the girls 8-3. The swimmers will next compete at the Big League North Meet Jan. 28.

Senior Nick Marte is also closing in on the boys team all-time points record. He currently has 724 points against the record of 750 set by 2012 grad Alex Miller. Marte has also set several other records this season, including the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard and-meter butterfly, 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke, as well as helping set records in the 200-meter medley relay, 200-yard free relay and 400-yard free relay.

"He might be one of the best swimmers to ever come through this school," Coach Kelly said.

Marte said he believed this year's team had a lot of depth, calling it "something special."

He also said he felt confident he'd be able to break the all-time points record.

"I'm excited because it took a lot of work to get here," Marte said.