Lawrence swim teams eye top spot in county

SwimmingThe Lawrence High School swim teams are in the midst of an impressive season, with each group accruing a 4-1 record.

By: Neal Lynch
   In each meet, the two squads gain a new level of respect from its adversaries and — in the process — come one step closer to becoming the top team in the area.
   Needless to say, coach Dean Mason has to be optimistic about his two teams as they head to the state meet.
   On Dec. 21, the boys and girls both faced Nottingham. While the boys fought hard in a tight meet to win, 86-84, the girls took care of their share, blowing away the Nottingham girls, 134-36.
   Six days later, Lawrence, along with five other local teams, participated in the Hornet Relays, hosted by Hamilton.
   The girls were able to finish with five first-place finishes and first place overall, while the boys team had three first-places and finished in second place overall (despite being tied with the first-place finisher, Notre Dame, until the last event).
   Mason noted that both teams had strong showings.
   "They’re a good group of kids that work hard," he said. "As the season progresses, they continue to get better. There a quite a few people to contribute. The girls look strong and the boys are coming into their own."
   The sole losses for each team came to teams that were doing extremely well. The girls narrowly lost to Hunterdon Central by three points and although the boys lost to Lawrenceville, they kept it respectable.
   Lawrence’s first four meets were out of county and Mason believes the squad really held its own.
   With the momentum of the inspiring victories at the Hornet Relays, the Lawrence swimming teams look to continue their success against Princeton today (Thursday).
   Mason believes the Cardinals can maintain their momentum.
   "I think there isn’t any chance of a letdown," he said. "If we go versus a team that is stronger and we come up short, I don’t consider it a letdown, I just think it means we got beat by a better team."
   The coach is confident his teams have the mentality and will to persevere through the competition that is sure to get tougher to handle as the season wears on.
   The next step is the meet against Princeton.
   "The girls will do OK, but the boys will be tight," Mason predicted. "We’ve had some tight battles over the past five years with them."