BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — In his seventh season as head coach of the St. Joseph High School swim team, Steve Whittington thinks this year’s team might be the fastest in the state.
He certainly has reason to believe considering three All-Americans have returned from last year and the team is off to a 2-0 start. Seniors Eric Swenson and Brian Gartner look to gain national recognition again as well as junior Bobby Savulich.
"In order to be one of the top teams in the state you need multiple things working," Whittington said. "You need good enrollment, raw talent, and motivation. Everyone knows about our big three, but I have a supporting cast that can wreak havoc on opponents."
Certainly one of Whittington’s "big three" is Savulich. An All-American in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and the 500 freestyle, Savulich is on course to shatter the state record in the 200 freestyle. Earlier this season, he recorded a 1:38 in the event for his club team and if he can duplicate this time at the meet of champions, he will claim a place in the record books.
Swimming as a sophomore a year ago, Savulich recorded two second-place finishes at the Meet of Champions and missed qualifying for the Olympic trials by eight-tenths of a second.
"Bobby is on par to greatness," Whittington said.
Last season Swenson took meet of champion honors in the 100 breaststroke in addition to his All-America title, and is looking to continue his swimming career at Notre Dame next year.
Gartner won the 100 butterfly at the Meet of Champions last season, and has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania.
In the first two meets of the season the Falcons have dominated their opponents, beating North Brunswick 122-46 and Old Bridge 128-40.
"Most teams are fighting to fill a line-up," Whittington said. "We can fill three. I have 39 swimmers and I only need 11 to win a meet."
Headed for a banner season is not unusual for the Falcons. Last year’s team swam to a 12-2 record and its second consecutive state title. The team has won an astonishing 25 consecutive county championships and a record 20 state championships. For the Falcons, the real season gets underway in February when the county and state championships are held.
Whittington’s supporting cast, that many a Greater Middlesex Conference coach would love to send to the pool, is made up of seniors Mike McDonald, C.J. Smiley, Ryan Tighe, and Dan Callahan.
"Mike and C.J. are outstanding sprinters," Whittington said. "Both of them have great stroke technique and a lot of muscle to pull water."
The up-and-coming Falcons on this year’s team are freshman Phil Luzny and sophomore Calve deVries.
"Phil has a lot of heart and he practices hard," Whittington said. "Calvin is an excellent butterfly man with good stroke technique."
In addition to looking forward to the championship meets, Whittington is eager to see how his team swims against some of the tougher schools on their schedule.
On Friday, the team traveled to Pennsylvania to meet nationally ranked LaSalle College High School, and on Saturday, they faced Christian Brothers Academy, Middletown. CBA was one of only two teams to defeat the Falcons last season.
"On paper not too many teams should beat us," Whittington said. "We should see what we are made of after these dates. This team has a chance to become the fastest team in the history of New Jersey swimming."