No one had ever done it — until now. Seniors Ryan Holman and Lenny Kim have become the first players in Morris County history to win four straight Morris County Tournament (MCT) baseball titles. It's a milestone that speaks not only to talent, but to years of perseverance, leadership, and hard work on and off the field. We caught up with both student-athletes as they reflected on the ride, the adversity, and the history they just made — together.

You're the first athletes in county history to win four straight Morris County Tournament titles. What does that accomplishment mean to each of you personally?

Ryan Holman:
It means a lot to me. I remember going to the 2019 county final with what felt like thousands of people in attendance and thinking, "I want to be here one day, playing in this game, under the lights. Fast forward — I've been fortunate enough to play in and win that game all four years. To live out what I dreamed of as a kid and contribute to that tradition is something I'll never forget."

Lenny Kim:
I was honestly shocked when I found out we were the first to do it. With all the amazing players who've come through Delbarton, I figured someone like Anthony Volpe or Jack Leiter would've done it. It's been a great ride being there for my teammates and seeing us succeed year after year. I'm super proud of the group of guys I love most.

What do you remember most vividly from each of those four tournament runs? Is there one year or moment that stands out the most?

Holman:
It was never easy. We knew every year that we had a target on our backs. We were going to get the best from every public school we faced — teams with a real chip on their shoulder. The streak started in 2019, and we knew there was pressure to keep it alive. Every game, we felt that weight. So many of those wins were stressful and close, and that made them even more rewarding.

Kim:
After our freshman year MCT win, I turned to Ryan while we were taking pictures and told him, We're going to win all four. And every year after, I told him again: Four is the goal. My most vivid memory is this year's win. I can still replay running at Ryan after he closed the game and blasting water in his face. We gave each other a big hug while everyone else rushed in. I didn't even know we were the first to accomplish this until after.

How would you describe the growth of the program and team culture during your four years, and how have you each contributed to that evolution?

Holman:
It's a culture like no other. We know it's a privilege to be at Delbarton, and that extends to baseball. Wearing the green and white and playing on Fleury Field means something — and only a select few ever get to do it. Lenny and I made it a priority to help everyone buy in and maintain that standard. We wanted to plant seeds that would keep this program thriving long after we're gone.

Kim:
Each year, I think the team got closer and closer. This year's group was the tightest — even with half the guys being new. On the field, we're loud and locked in. Off the field, we're always hanging out together — grabbing food, chilling in the locker room. I really emphasize being supportive, especially if you're not playing that day. That's part of building the culture.

What's it like sharing this rare milestone with a teammate who's been through every step of the journey with you?

Holman:
It's really special. From day one, Lenny and I had a bond like no other. We've supported each other through the highs and lows — not just in baseball but in our whole Delbarton experience. He's dealt with a rough hand when it comes to injuries, but he never wavered in his support of the team or of me. He could've quit, but he didn't. He stayed and became the best teammate you could ask for. I wouldn't want to share this milestone with anyone else.

Kim:
There's no one else I'd rather share this with. Ryan and I have been close since freshman year, and we've made so many memories. I'm just glad it was him I got to go through all of this with.

Ryan, you had big moments both at the plate and on the mound — especially closing out this year's final with seven strikeouts. How do you mentally approach high-pressure situations like that?

Holman:
In those moments, I remind myself I'm out there for a reason. I've earned the ball. I focus on my breath and stay present — not worrying about what already happened or what could happen next. When I stay in control of everything I do, that's when my confidence kicks in. And when I'm confident, good things happen.

From pitching just 0.2 innings to close the 2023 final, to starting in 2024, to closing again in 2025 — how have your roles evolved, and how has that shaped your mindset as a leader?

Holman:
Freshman and sophomore year, I didn't play in the final. But I knew my job was to be the loudest guy on the bench and bring energy. I contributed in earlier games to get us there, and I did my job when called upon. Junior year, starting under the lights was a full-circle moment — finally living the dream. And this year was even more special. I closed it out, just like Leiter did in 2019. The bases were loaded when I came in, and I remembered being in the stands years ago. The pressure didn't scare me — it fired me up. I was determined not to waste the opportunity. When I'm confident, the team feeds off that, and we just keep rolling.

Lenny, you played a major pitching role your first two years, then battled injuries. How did it feel to get back on the mound and contribute again during your final county tournament?

Kim:
It felt great. This is the first year I've been fully healthy, and just being back out there meant a lot. During the injury stretches, I couldn't help much on the field, but I embraced my role — being a motivator and energy guy. I picked up my teammates and tried to keep emotions steady. I knew I could still help in other ways.

What kept you motivated while sidelined, and how has that adversity shaped you?

Kim:
I almost gave up. Junior year, I had a conversation with Coach Shatel about quitting. I was frustrated. But he told me he didn't want me to leave — that I was still a vital part of the team, even if I wasn't between the lines. That meant a lot. So I stayed. I became the best teammate I could be. It built me into who I am today and gave me a new perspective. Even when hope was lost, I found purpose again.

As their Delbarton careers wind down, Holman and Kim have one last goal — to finish on top. But no matter how the rest of the season unfolds, they've already left their mark on the record books which will never go away.