Four sets of siblings on swim team

By: Carolyn M. Hartko
   One of the strengths of the swimming program at South Brunswick High School has always been the number of families that produced two or more swimmers for the Vikings. This year is no exception, as four sets of siblings are currently swimming for SBHS.
   The newest arrivals are twins Wil and Liz Samtur, 14-year-old freshmen. They bring lots of competitive experience with them, as both have been on swim teams since they were eight. Currently, they swim for X-CEL in Princeton nine months of the year, then switch to The Willows in the summer.
   On her club teams, Liz swims any event where she’s needed, but in high school, she concentrates on the butterfly and backstroke. The fly is her favorite, partly because it’s the most challenging stroke, and partly because the improvements in her time are more dramatic. There were a lot of big changes for someone moving from middle school to high school, but meeting people through the swim team has helped smooth the way.
   "I had trouble finding my way around," Liz said. "I got lost a couple of times. And you’re more independent (in high school), so it’s hard to get to know the teachers. You’re more on your own, and not babysat anymore."
   Wil is also an all-around swimmer for the club teams, but he swims mostly freestyle sprints for the Vikings. His favorite event is the 100 free, where the challenge is always to take a second or two off the previous best time.
   "I like racing sports, something’s that’s more speed oriented," Wil said. "Swimming is pretty exciting because there’s different strokes. It’s not like running where you can only do one thing. There’re also different techniques to focus on. You’re always constantly thinking while you’re swimming. You can’t just lose track, or you’re going to lose the race."
   Lauren Dai and big brother Brian took a very different path to the Viking swim team. Although swimming recreationally since they were little, the first exposure to competitive swimming for both came when they entered high school. Brian, a 15-year-old sophomore, began scoring points early last year. He swims the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke for South Brunswick. The latter has become his favorite event.
   "It’s my fastest stroke that’s not freestyle," Brian said. "I used to not like it because I didn’t feel comfortable going backwards, but I got used to it."
   Lauren, a 13-year-old freshman, swims backstroke for the Lady Vikings, as well as the 200 IM, and relays. And like her brother, Lauren is already making an impact at swim meets. She likes the backstroke, because the swimmer can breathe all the time. She had to make some tough choices about her extra-curricular activities when she made the transition to high school.
   "I’ve taken piano lessons for quite awhile," Lauren said. "But I’ve been so busy this year that I really haven’t had time to practice that much. So, now I just take lessons every other week. And dance class – I stopped doing that. I’m kind of sad, but there are other interests that I have now, like swimming and stuff."
   Two brothers who have seemed to learn to balance several widespread interests with their swimming commitments are Travis and Tyler Wardlow. Both like to get away to Vermont to ski when they can, and both like to play soccer and use the computer in their free time. In the summer, both boys swim for The Willows.
   But Travis, a 16-year-old junior, no longer swims for a club team during the school year, sticking with the high school swim team in the winter, and the SBHS volleyball team in the spring. He swims the 200 and 500 free for the Vikings. The latter event is 20 laps of the pool, and takes between 5 ½ and 7 minutes, depending on the skill of the swimmer. Travis won that race against North Brunswick last week with a time of 6:14.04.
   "I really can’t go that fast," Travis said. "I only can go one speed. So, the 500 fits with how I swim."
   Tyler, a 14-year-old freshman, is more serious about swimming. He’s a member of Riptide swim team, and he had a club meet this past Sunday evening. He swims the IM and breast stroke for Riptide, and mostly breast stroke for the Vikings. But he is a versatile competitor who can be put in wherever Viking head coach John Harding needs him. For example, in the North Brunswick meet, Tyler won the 200 free, and also brought in points in the 200 and 400 free relays, as well as the breast stroke.
"Swimming is a lot of fun to me," Tyler said. "I like the individuality. It’s mostly one person doing it, so it all depends on you, and how hard you work."
   Unlike the two-child families mentioned above, the Lee’s are something of a swimming dynasty. Ben, a senior, and Ed, a junior, have an older brother who also swam for SBHS. Vincent graduated in 2004, but the two younger Lee’s are carrying on the family tradition. Ben (17) swims IM and freestyle, and Ed (16) swims freestyle and relays.
   Ben could give Lauren Dai a few pointers on keeping music in her life, and making a little money on the side. He has been playing the piano for about 10 years.
   "It’s just a hobby of mine," Ben said. "I like to play at recitals and weddings and stuff."
   Ed’s favorite race is the 200 free relay.
   "I like how it involves teamwork," Ed said. "It shows that you can rely on other people as well as yourself, and you know that you’re being counted on."
   When it comes to teamwork, these kids have already learned the basics by being part of the first natural team – the family. They bring that sense of give and take to the SBHS swimming program along with their physical skills.