GIRLS SWIMMING
By: Tim Falls
Caroline Kelly and Rebecca Vinch always vie for a one-two finish.
The two sprinters always want to get as many points as possible for the Lawrence High School girls swim team.
The points the Cardinals gained from Kelly’s first and Vinch’s second against Rancocas Valley on Tuesday helped Lawrence advance in the NJSIAA Central ‘A’ sectional.
In the opening meet of the sectional, fifth-seeded Lawrence tied fourth-seeded Rancocas Valley, 85-85, and upset RV on power points (2,721-2,687).
Despite only being the fifth seed, Lawrence never counted itself out. The Cardinals always swim hard in the sectional meets.
"Lawrence is known for making it work at the end," said Vinch.
The Cardinals worked hard enough to win the meet by power points and continue on in the postseason.
Power points are based on the times both schools recorded during the meet and faster times mean more power points. Usually, aside from seeding the postseason meets, power points don’t come into play. Except in ties, where power points are the tiebreaker to decide which team advances.
The victory sends Lawrence against Colonial Valley Conference rival and top-seeded Mercer County Champion, West Windsor-Plainsboro South. The Cardinals are scheduled to take on the Pirates today in the semifinal for a chance to reach the Central Jersey Sectional ‘A’ Final. Lawrence defeated South last year in an epic victory for the sectional title.
Against Rancocas Valley, Kelly and Vinch sprinted for first and second, respectively, in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
"It was really important to take one-two in both events," said Vinch. "Mr. Turnbull always tells us to go for one and two, but we knew it was crucial to do it for the team could win."
Kelly, a Lawrence sophomore, led the 50 free in 26.39 seconds and won the 100 in 57.86. Vinch, a junior, followed closely to touch out Rancocas Valley’s sprinter.
Likewise, Lawrence sophomore Stephanie Greenfield and junior Lindsay Stern came in first and second, respectively, in the 100 backstroke. Greenfield won the event in 1:06.77. Stern kept the Cardinals in contention with her second-place swim in the 500 free.
Lawrence’s lone senior, Jillian Franc, swam for second place in the 200 free and the 100 butterfly.
"Jillian had a great meet," said Vinch. "Her seconds in the 200 and fly were really important."
Erica Nagy also helped counter Rancocas Valley’s gains from a first-place finish in the 200 free, by taking third for Lawrence behind Franc. Freshman Jillian Petrone came in third behind Franc in the 100 fly for another clutch Lawrence swim.
Freshman Katie Hector took second in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke.
Hector, Franc, Vinch and Kelly captured first in the 200 free relay in 1:48.43, while the Cardinals placed second in the 200 medley relay and finished second and third in the 400 free relay to secure the tie.
"When we found out it was tied at the end we just all sat there in silence," said Vinch. "Mr. Turnbull was pacing up and down the deck."
After the officials tallied the tied score, the power points had to be computed. The time-consuming process was an agonizing wait for the Lawrence girls. Vinch said the girls waited it out silently in a classroom until coach Turnbull came in with the power point totals.
Suffice it to say, the Cardinals weren’t silent after that.

