Kraml, Pirates come up big in state tune-up
By: Justin Feil
LAWRENCE Stephanie Kraml wasn’t a part of the West Windsor-Plainsboro High girls’ swimming team that fell to Lawrence two years ago in the Mercer County Championship, but she’s plenty familiar with disappointments in the county meet. In her freshman and sophomore years at Notre Dame, Kraml hadn’t found the winning touch.
Then last year, she experienced the pleasure of winning a team trophy when WW-P South regained the MC championship, but didn’t hold up as the top seed in the backstroke. Saturday, she put together the full package by winning the 100 backstroke and being part of the Pirates’ 16th title in 17 years.
"I’m glad I got to win," the senior co-captain said. "In the past, all I’ve gotten is second. Never at counties have I won. I was completely focused on the backstroke. I didn’t even care about the 200 free (in which she still finished fifth). I just wanted to win the back."
Kraml won the back and was a part of the winning 200 and 400 free relays as WW-PS easily distanced itself from runner-up Lawrence, 264-166. Those were the only three events that the Pirates won Saturday, but their depth did the rest.
Jen Hong, the only other senior on the Pirates’ team, was fifth in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 100 butterfly, while Kate Guthrie was third in the 50 free and a surprising second in the 100 free. Katie Welsh was second in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 free. Erika Tomei, Kristen Yarrington and Jessica Solloway all picked up valuable points by making the championship finals.
"It was no real surprise," said WW-PS head coach Paul Hamnett of the win. "I liked the way we came out and swam hard. Hopefully, we come away from this and it propels us into states (this) week."
WW-P North was fifth with 126, Princeton was seventh with 103, Stuart eighth, Hun 10th and Princeton Day 12th.
"I think at the beginning of the season, a lot of people doubted us," Kraml said. "But we had so many swimmers help. We had three people come back in so many events (for Saturday’s consolation finals and championship finals). I don’t think being a young team means that you’re bad. We have really strong freshmen who all helped."
WW-PS could enjoy its victory for a couple days before the second-seeded Pirates host seventh-seeded Watchung Hills 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Central Jersey A quarterfinals.
"It’s definitely been a harder year," Hamnett said. "And we’ll see how we do. The girls swam through this meet, which makes this all the more impressive. I loved how the 200 and 400 relays just went out and won their races. We had some real good swims all-around."
Kraml’s win was especially meaningful because of how strong she’s been over the past three years, yet the county meet has always been a sticking point.
"She’d never won," Hamnett said. "She finally got it done. She swam really well. She wanted it for a while now, so it’s nice to see."
And it’s that sort of resolution that it will take for WW-PS to make its mark in the state tournament. Kraml believes that the county swim meet can serve as a springboard.
"I think we can put up a good run for states," Kraml said. "First we’ll have (third-seeded) Hunterdon Central, and it’s going to be a really close meet. We’re used to winning though, and we’ll see how far we can go."
The 18-year-old hopes that Saturday’s victory shows that she is also getting back to her winning ways, and that should help the Pirates. She missed the good part of a month early in the season as she fought off a bout with mononucleosis. She came into counties feeling as strong as at any point this season, and it showed with her winning 1:09.99.
"This makes me feel more confident going into states," she said. "It’s the same time I went last year. I think it’s my consistent time. It converts to under 1:03 (for yards). At consolations Thursday was the first time I went under 1:03 this year.
"I had a three-second lead on the girl seeded second. That made me feel like I had a lot of room. But I was still nervous."
The win took care of Kraml’s nerves, but it didn’t help her contain her excitement over the first Mercer County win of her career.
"It’s a great way to go out," she said. "To know you won something that you really wanted, it’s a big deal. You can look around and see how seriously everyone takes this. For year-round swimmers, it really helps you feel like you’re a part of something. It’s great to be on this team. And it’s great to win."