Cougar boys happy to be a part of tourney
By: Bob Nuse
HAMILTON For the Montgomery High boys’ swim team, the accomplishment was getting into the state tournament. And the fact the Cougars dropped a 113-57 decision at Nottingham in their Central Jersey Division B opener doesn’t diminish that accomplishment.
"We’re a growing program and we have to take small steps," said senior Fred Hermann, who finished third in the 200 freestyle. "Making the states was the first step. This is the first time we’ve done it and it’s a nice accomplishment for the program."
The loss ended the Cougars’ season with a 5-7 record. But most importantly, the team found a way to qualify for the states.
"I’m real proud of the kids for what they’ve accomplished this year," said Montgomery coach Claire Scarpa, whose team picked up its only victory Wednesday when Mike Kuzmich, Matt Frommer, Andy Xu and Doug Pung won the closing 400 free relay. "When you get to a meet like this against a team like Nottingham, you know it’s going to be tough. We looked at the times and knew they had a real strong team. But I’m still happy.
"The kids had a real good season. We broke a lot of records and we made it to the state tournament. We had missed three days of practice because of the snow and I think some of the kids were tired. But they still came out and did their best."
The Montgomery girls, who also qualified for the state tournament for the first time, were scheduled to open the CJ B tournament on Thursday against Red Bank. With a win, the Cougars would face either second-seeded Rumson or No. 7 Princeton.
"I think it was a good thing for the program that both teams made it to the states for the first time this year," Scarpa said. "We’re a growing program and this was a big step for us."
So, despite the lopsided loss in the CJ B tournament, there was plenty for the Cougars to be pleased about.
"I’m very proud of the team, " said Kuzmich, who along with Hermann and Charles Zang are the three seniors on the Cougar boys’ team. "Even though we lost, I’m still happy with our performance. It’s disappointing to lose, but we can in with good spirit and we had fun. I don’t think we were even expecting to make the states this year, so to be able to do that is a nice accomplishment."
The win in the 400 free relay was the Cougars’ only victory. They did manage to earn second places from Pung in the 200 individual medley and 100 breast, Kuzmich in the 50 free, and Xu in the 100 free and 100 back.
In other boys’ state swimming, West Windsor-Plainsboro North and WW-P South both had their opening meets postponed on Wednesday and were scheduled to swim on Thursday. Princeton, which is the top seed in CJ B, had a first-round bye and will face either Holmdel or Rumson 5:15 p.m. today at Princeton University’s DeNunzio Pool.

