Custances lead the way for Wayne Valley by Sean Farrell of The Record
The sibling rivalry would never stop.
For Wayne Valley’s Evan and Claire Custance, every minute in the pool became an opportunity to prove themselves.
“It’s very competitive,” said Claire, a sophomore. “Since we were younger, we’d always be racing each other and arguing over times.”
But the Indians’ dynamic duo agreed last weekend that the race between them has become too close to call. After all, the race against everyone else in Passaic County went pretty well for the entire family.
Evan came away with his third straight 500-yard freestyle championship as a junior, and set two meet records during Saturday’s Passaic County Swimming Championships. Claire helped Wayne Valley’s girls swimming team win for the first time since 2014. They combined to win seven of their eight events.
“It makes me happy,” Evan said. “She trains with me a lot so it’s good to see her work pay off as well.”
The Custances started swimming early in their childhood since their mother, Kristin, had her own impressive high school career.
“Even since I was little, she’s always been correcting my stroke,” Claire said.
The Wayne Valley swimmers also mentor each other, having taken separate paths in the sport. Evan gives out pointers in the long distance events, and Claire offers advice in the breast stroke. Their speed has allowed the Indians to earn spots in The Record Top 10 throughout the season in both boys and girls swimming.
“I love how good he is because I always have that competition,” Claire said. “If it’s not [close] in my race, I can always try for his times.”