There’s a positive side to being the new kids in town — no one knows what you can do.
That was the case as Freehold Township nearly swam away with a pair of victories against Long Branch at Monmouth University on Tuesday. Freehold won the boys’ meet 88-70, but lost the girls’ battle 86-84.
"I had no idea that Freehold Township was that strong," said Long Branch head coach Tracey Chiambrone. "They did a great job in the pool. They gave us a battle."
The Patriots sent the 2-2 Long Branch boys’ team below .500, nearly sweeping all first-place honors.
The visitors won 10 of 11 races, with Brandon Solarana, Kevin Wagner, Dan Griepenburg and Jim Lindquist posting eight first-place times.
The quartet, who make up the Patriots’ core, brought in six individual and two relay victories.
Solarana won both the 100-meter butterfly and backstroke races, posting times of 1:03.2 and 58.4, respectively. Griepenburg won the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:23.2, and the 100-meter breaststroke at 1:16.4; and Lindquist took the 50- and 100-meter freestyle races (23.3 and 53.7).
Wagner joined his teammates in the winner’s circle, participating on the victorious 200-meter medley and 200-meter freestyle relay teams.
Also earning first-place honors for the visitors were Joe Morrissey (500-meter freestyle), and Sean Moody, D. Scholl, Ryan Kelly and Wagner (400-meter freestyle relay).
Long Branch’s Brian Mejia broke up Freehold Township’s gold medal run by taking the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:56.8.
On the girls’ side of the pool, the outcome of the race wasn’t decided until the end of the 400 freestyle relay.
With points going to the top five finishers in individual races, and the top three in relay races, every race became important.
Even though Freehold out-touched Long Branch to the wall, 7-4, both teams traded the lead until the 100-meter butterfly race.
The Patriots took control, 43-35, after Jennifer Jeffreys, Carly Washer and Nicole Kulp finished first, second and fourth, earning 12 points for their team.
Freehold won three more races to anchor a 82-74 lead going into the 400 freestyle relay. Caitlin Morrissey won the 500 free; Annie Bren, Jessica Bomm, Christol Wagner and Jeffreys won the 200 freestyle relay; and Wagner won the 100-meter breaststroke.
With a six-point advantage, all Freehold needed to do was place first and second for the win, or second and third for a tie.
Long Branch was able to secure the top two spots, stealing the meet away from its guests at the last second.
Jessica Bader also brought in a first-place win for the Lady Patriots.
Freehold’s boys stand 1-1, while the girls are now 0-2.