Sudol confident defending champs can challenge best
By: John E. Powers
The Hillsborough High School boys’ swimming team is progressing just as its head coach, Todd Sudol, likes. And now, the Raiders have progressed enough that the rest of the state has also taken notice.
The Raiders, winners of the Central Jersey Public School A sectional title last year, and owners of an outstanding 14-2 record, are scheduled to open the season at Hightstown today. Expectations are very high.
"We’re expecting the same kind of season, absolutely," said Sudol, now in his fifth year as head coach. "We want to return to last year’s results. That’s our long term goal to repeat what we accomplished."
The schedule reflects just how confident Sudol is. The Raiders will play host to powerful Bergen Catholic Dec. 21 at the Hillsborough YMCA, then swim against perennial giant St. Joseph of Metuchen Jan. 13 at the same location. The only reason Westfield the Public A state champion is not on the schedule is because the Blue Devils and Raiders couldn’t come up with a common date to swim.
And of course, the Raiders will have their annual battle with Skyland Conference rival and defending Somerset County champion Bridgewater-Raritan. The Raiders, who finished second to the Panthers in the Skyland Conference Championships last year, open the conference season with the Panthers at home next Tuesday.
The Raiders will also compete in a tournament hosted by Pingry this Saturday with Hunterdon Central and Vernon.
"The objective this year is to have less dual meets so there is more time to train and prepare for the post-season," Sudol said. "One of our goals was to gain the respect and now that we have it we want to swim the best teams in the state. What are we going to prove if we’re winning meets by big margins? That’s really not going to help us in where we want to go. This is my fifth year and my goal has been to take the team I have to the next step."
The Raiders will miss the leadership and talent of Somerset County champion and team co-captain Mark Green, who graduated. So did co-captain Evan Gargulio. But there is a lot of talent returning to help make this season.
Senior Frank Ippolito, who won the Somerset County breaststroke title last year, is back in the pool. Sophomore breaststroker Pat Kuehne is also back along with sophomore Tim Rauch, junior Sean Downey, Scott Prow and senior Devon Gunsakera and junior James Vanbiervliet. Juniors Peter Cole and Eric Horowitz contributed last year along with sophomores Robert Webb and Bob Gendimenico.
Depth was a big part in the Raiders’ success last year. As an example, Hillsborough won just three events against West Windsor-Plainsboro South in the sectional final last year at North Brunswick High School’s pool, but were still able to win 90-80.
"We have a lot of talented kids back, who scored a lot of points last year," Sudol said.
Because of the additions of Ridge and Immaculata, the Skyland Conference has readjusted its divisional setups. Hillsborough will swim in the Skyland’s Delaware Division along with Bridgewater-Raritan, Hunterdon Central, Montgomery and Watchung Hills. The Raritan Division is made up by Franklin, North Hunterdon, Phillipsburg, Ridge, Somerville, Voorhees and Warren Hills.

