By: Sean Richards
Coming off its greatest season in school history, it shapes up as another banner year for the constantly-improving South Brunswick High School boys swimming team.
A year ago the Vikings tied the school record for most wins (eight) in a season, advanced to the state tournament for the first time and compiled their highest finish ever in the Greater Middlesex Conference Championships by taking an impressive third.
Much of that team is back along with some promising newcomers. The result is a lot of optimism in the South Brunswick camp as the Vikings prepare for their season opener on Dec. 1 at Hamilton.
"We’ve only got two seniors on the team, but we have a talented young group," coach John Harding said. "We had a tremendous turnout and actually had to turn some swimmers away. We’re looking for a good amount of success."
The two seniors are co-captains and freestylers Ed Lee and Travis Wardlow. Both are proven performers and will provide lots of leadership for a program that now expects to compete on a high level.
They will be backed by a very deep and strong junior class, starting with last year’s co-MVP Henry Ma, who swims the backstroke and individual medley.
Ma provided a ton of points last year and will again compete in the relays. Tyler Wardlow is another big junior gun for South Brunswick. He helped set the school record last year in the 200 free relay and is a versatile swimmer who will also compete in the backstroke, breast stroke and freestyle races.
Brian Dai (backstroke IM) is another reliable returning swimmer along with Dan DeOliviera, who really came on last year to finish in the top 10 at the GMCs in the freestyle sprints. DeOliviera was also part of the record-breaking 200 freestyle relay team along with Wardlow.
Other returning juniors are Dillon Diatio (100 fly) and Brian Lee, who specializes in the butterfly and also contributed in the relays. Among the juniors hoping to contribute even more this year are Andrew McDermott (fly), Kurt Niebanck (backstroke), Neel Patel (IM, breast, 500 free) and Mike Socienski.
Sophomore James Kugal returns in the 50 free and butterfly, while classmate Mike Ungano is back in the IM. Also on the team are sophomore Oleg Pidgainy (breast) and freshman Andrew Gong.
Although South Brunswick has some very talented swimmers, one of its biggest strengths will again be its depth. That and a great attitude, which is the logical result of a boom in the interest in South Brunswick swimming.
"It’s taken some time to build the program up, but it’s gotten bigger and bigger every year," said Harding, who started the program 10 years ago. "South Brunswick is the type of town where people really look forward to the swimming season. The people have been very supportive.
"We had our most successful season ever last year. We have a lot of competition going on and a dedicated group. It should be a very interesting year."

