Hopewell girls claim sectional title

Swimming

By: Matt Nalbone
   While both the Hopewll Valley Central High School boys and girls swimming teams had good runs in the state tournament, it was the girls team that brought home a title.
   As the No. 1 seed, the Lady Bulldogs won the Central Jersey Public B sectional title by defeating the second-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven 98-72. It was the third win in five days for the girls.
   "We are ecstatic," Hopewell Valley coach Kim Shubert said. "The girls are thrilled. They absolutely deserve it."
   The Lady Bulldogs won 10 of the 11 events, cruising to their first sectional title in school history. Rumson-Fair Haven defeated the Hopewell Valley girls in last year’s sectional quarterfinals.
   "We’ve swum Rumson in the state tournament in the past, and they beat us," Shubert said. "We went in expecting a close meet."
   Junior Missy Helmers celebrated her 17th birthday in grand fashion, taking home first place in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500 freestyle. She won the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:01.97, and the 500 freestyle in 5:32.13.
   Hopewell Valley had a good showing in the 500 freestyle, as Maddy Webber finished third, and Emily Alexander came in fourth. Senior Allie Foster had a fantastic sectional final, winning both the 100 freestyle (55.67) and 100 breaststroke (1:09.01).
   Another double-winner for Hopewell Valley was Annie Clark, as she took first in the 200 individual medley (2:45.12) and the 100 butterfly (1:02.27).
   "Allie Foster’s come through for us," Shubert said. "She (Foster) is a versatile swimmer. Annie (Clark) is a gung-ho person. Anything you ask her to do, she does."
   The Lady Bulldogs took second and third in the 50 freestyle, as Kristina Helmers and Genevieve Holmes picked up valuable points.
   Hopewell Valley also swept all three relays in the meet.
   "We didn’t start to breathe with ease until the last event," Shubert said.
   In the sectional semifinals, the Hopewell girls put forth an even more dominating performance, beating Shore Regional 108-62. The Lady Bulldogs won all three relays during the meet and again had several double-winners.
   Missy Helmers won the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, while Kristina Helmers won both the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke.
   "They (Missy and Kristina Helmers) were wonderful additions," Shubert said. "They’re top-notch swimmers, and they bring a higher level of depth."
   Foster took first in the 100 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke, and Clark won the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
   In the first round of the section, Hopewell Valley dispatched of local rival and No. 8 seed West Windsor-Plainsboro North 109-61. Hopewell Valley, which won every event, had three double-winners.
   The Lady Bulldogs next will face North Jersey Public B champion Governor Livingston in the state tournament’s Public B semifinals. The meet will be held at Rider University at 7 p.m. today.
   Hopewell Valley has tallied 3,269 power points, while Governor Livingston has 3,274.
   "We’re nervous," Shubert said. "Our power points are so compatible to theirs (the Highlanders’), so we expect a close meet. Our girls will give 300 percent of what they’ve got.
   "As coaches, that’s all you can ask for."
   The third-seeded boys team also beat West Windsor-Plainsboro North 101-69 in the first round. Bryan Clark was a two-time winner, taking the 200 individual medley (2:16.24) and the 100 butterfly (1:00.90).
   Jan Michael Blakely and Braden Orr also won twice for the Bulldogs. Blakely won the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, while Orr won the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.
   Ned Foster won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:07.01, and Hopewell Valley (10-4) took first in all three relays.
   The boys team wasn’t as fortunate in the sectional semifinals, as it lost to second-seeded Nottingham 96-74. The Bulldogs won the 200 medley relay with a time of 2:03.25, while Blakely the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle (56.80).