Qian steps into big role

Senior aids South boys’ swimming in win

By: Justin Feil
   Tony Qian knew that this year would be different.
   For three years, Qian has been a contributor in the outside lanes for the West Windsor-Plainsboro South swim team. This year, he’s moved into the middle, where more is expected of him and his performances mean a little more for the Pirates’ chances.
   "This year," said the Pirate senior, "I have to step it up and get those first places. Before, I had to provide depth."
   The Pirates lost two of the best swimmers in program history, two of the best in the entire state last year. Jay Park, who is too old by New Jersey public school rules to compete, won the 50 and 100 freestyle state titles last year. Brian Honore graduated after placing second in the state in the 200 and 500 free.
   "When Brian graduated, I knew I had to get the firsts," Qian said. "It’s a challenge. I have to step it up. I have big shoes to fill. Brian was crazy good. I don’t want to let my team down.
   "We lost Brian and Jay. It’s going to be a lot tougher. We’re trying to win as many as we can and get as far as we can in states."
   After opening with a loss to state power Bridgewater-Raritan, the Pirates have won back-to-back Colonial Valley Conference meets entering Thursday’s scheduled meet against Hopewell Valley. Qian helped the Pirates overcome not just the losses of Honore and Park, but three of their important swimmers who could not make Tuesday’s 112-58 win over Hightstown.
   "Tony won the 200 IM and the 500 free and was also on the 200 free relay that won," said Pirates head coach Paul Hamnett. "That’s kind of what he’s been swimming all year. Those were two of his best times. He looked strong in the water.
   "We graduated Gian (Fernandez) and Brian Honore. We needed someone to step up in the IM and the 500. He’s had to become that guy. We were not sure what he was going to swim this year. He’s also been in the fly. We think he’s going to be key in some of the close meets we’re going to have."
   There is certain to be a little more pressure on all the Pirates this year. Without the superstar swimmers of the past, WW-P South won’t have such commanding leads in meets. And that adds pressure to every swim.
   "In the past three years, we had people we could depend on to win the meets," Qian said. "Our last CVC meet, against Nottingham, it was only a six-point meet late. It’s an unnerving feeling. We don’t have the superstars we used to. (Mike) Carman pulls his weight, but everyone else has to step it up."
   Close meets may become the norm for South, which faces two of its more difficult tests in the coming week. Tuesday, they face Princeton High School. Thursday, they’ll take on new Central Jersey A power Montgomery High School. Being in — and pulling out — a close meet like they did at Nottingham is something that could help show the Pirates what it will take this season to sustain their success.
   "It was a lot closer than I personally expected it to be," Qian said. "Everything except Princeton, Lawrence and Notre Dame has been decently easy in the past two years. It’s a lot different.
   "Everyone has to figure out it’s not up to a superstar. Everyone has to make a difference. Before, we had to provide depth. Now we have to provide firsts. This year will be a lot tougher."
   The Pirates, however, have a lot of pride in their program. Their young swimmers are coming along and the veterans are doing all they can to help. Julian Ressler, a senior co-captain with Carman, also won two individual events Tuesday against Nottingham, taking the 200 free and 100 fly. Joey Grant won the 100 free and was second in the 50 free.
   "We’ve been practicing about a month," Hamnett said. "Things are starting to develop. Roles are starting to develop. We need some guys to work on their coachability and their overall race technique."
   It’s up to the veterans like Qian to help bring along the younger swimmers. He’s aware of the importance of strong leadership and how it will impact the Pirates’ year.
   "I feel I have to be a role model," he said. "Jay and Brian, I’m not nearly as fast as they were. But being a senior, you get looked up to since you’ve been here for four years. Some of the first-year kids have no idea what’s going on. You have to be there for their questions."
   Qian brings a wealth of experience. In addition to swimming for the high school team for a fourth season, he has been a member of the X-Cel club team for five years. Given the right situation, he hopes to continue swimming in college next year. In his final season with the Pirates, he’s just hoping to maintain their success.
   "Last year, I did the 200 free and fly a lot," he said. "I did the IM today. Hamnett has been switching me around a bit to fill in holes. I’ll do whatever he wants. I do what I can and I do the best I can.
   "If Brian was here, he would have easily won. I had to grit my teeth to win. I train with the kid I beat, so I knew what he was capable of and what I could do."
   That performance was enough to hold off a teammate Tuesday, and Hamnett is hoping to get similar competitiveness out of Qian all season.
   "He’s been on the cusp of making counties and contributing," Hamnett said. "He’s been more of an outside lane swimmer. He’s done a lot. He’s improved a lot.
   "Over the years, he’s struggled to make that next big step. He’s always been in the 5:30s (for the 500). Today, he went 5:21, so he’s already made that big step. He can’t fill the shoes of Brian, but Brian was second in the state. In the CVC, you don’t have to always swim the times Brian did to win."
   Tony Qian won’t swim those Honore-like times, but he will continue to put forth an all-out effort. He did so in Tuesday’s win over Hightstown and took a big step in boosting the Pirates’ hopes for the year.