Swimming
By: Jim Green
The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys swimming team is hoping to benefit from its difficult schedule down the stretch of the season.
Over the last two weeks, the Bulldogs have suffered four consecutive losses to some of the better teams in the Colonial Valley Conference: West Winsdor-Plainsboro North, Lawrence, West Windsor-Plainsboro South and Nottingham. Hopewell dropped to 4-6-1 Jan. 29 with a 102-68 loss to the Northstars.
Despite the lopsided score, Hopewell coach Laurie Gordon was satisfied with the way her team performed.
"They (the Bulldogs) did a great job," Gordon said. "One of my best swimmers (Will McNees) was out sick, and they still power-pointed well."
McNees, who has qualified for the Meet of Champions in the 500 freestyle, certainly was a huge loss for the Bulldogs, who do not have as much depth as they have had in years past. Without McNees, Hopewell managed to notch two first-place finishes, as Ned Foster won the 50 freestyle (26.69) and the 100 freestyle (1:02.13).
Because the Bulldogs understood they would have difficulty in these recent meets, their focus has been on individual improvements rather than wins and losses.
"I think it’s always difficult to lose," Gordon said. "But we (the Hopewell coaches) have been letting them know how important it is to power-point well and to bring their times down individually. They understand that, and they have been working very hard on their own strokes."
The Hopewell girls team easily defeated Nottingham 130-40 to improve to 5-3 on the season. The Lady Bulldogs received wins from Mary Pat DeHaven in the 200 freestyle (2:29.82), Catherine Brookes in the 200 individual medley (2:46.31), Darby Driscoll in the 50 freestyle (29.56) and the 100 freestyle (1:05.06), Kara Widmer in the 100 butterfly (1:18.44) and the 100 backstroke (1:18.31), Kristin Cuprzinski in the 500 freestyle (6:23.81) and Emily Alexander in the 100 breaststroke (1:28.63). The Lady Bulldogs also won all three relays.
Hopewell will now turn its attention to the Mercer County Tournament, which will be held from Thursday through Saturday at Lawrence High School.
"I have a bunch of kids that I think are going to place very well (at the MCT) based on the times from last year," Gordon said.
The Bulldogs also hope to qualify for the state tournament. Despite the boys team’s sub-.500 record, they still could make the tournament if their power-point totals are strong enough.
Gordon expects to find out some time next week whether or not her team has qualified for states.
"Compared to last year, we’ve power-pointed a couple hundred points less, and we lost seven seniors who were amazing," Gordon said. "I’m hoping that’s good enough. I don’t know how the other teams are power-pointing."
Regardless of what happens at the county and state tournaments, Gordon has been pleased with her first season as Hopewell coach.
"They (the Bulldogs) are a young team, but they work hard," Gordon said. "Every single one of them has dropped times significantly."
NOTES: Hopewell’s meet with Hightstown, which was postponed last week due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at Hightstown.
The Mercer County Tournament’s girls preliminaries will start at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, with the boys preliminaries beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The finals will be held at noon Saturday.