Viking swimmers accord themselves well on history-making day

Both teams lose to WW-PS in state meet, but the fact they were there shows how things are improving

By: Sean Richards
   It was an historic afternoon on Tuesday for the South Brunswick High School
boys and girls swimming teams.
   The reason was for the first time in program history they competed in
the NJSIAA Sectionals in the same year.
   While both the boys and girls came up short in an away meet at much-higher
seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro South, the Vikings certainly accredited themselves well against the Mercer County powerhouse.
"We did pretty well,” said coach John Harding. "It was the first time the
girls made states and only the second time for the boys, so there was a bit
of the unknown.
"Some of our swimmers swam great and some were a little off, but overall I
was pleased with the way the team performed.”
Finishing with a best-ever 9-2 record, the South Brunswick boys lost to WW-PS, 105-65. The girls finished up their winningest season with an
8-3-1 record after they fell to the Pirates, 108-62.
Among those swimming well for the boys were reliable performers Tyler
Wardlow, Henry Ma and Mike Socienski.
Wardlow was second in the 200 free with a time of 1:54.77 and second in the
100 back with a 1:01.06. Ma was second in the 200 IM when he clocked a
2:11.82 and in the 100 breast with a 1:05.22. Socieneski, meanwhile, had
personal bests in both the 50 and 100 free.
   Also making their mark were Dan DeOliveira and Andrew Gong. DeOliveira was
second in the 50 free when a fast 23:84, while Gong had personal bests in
the 200 and 500 freestyle races.
Freshman Abby Weingarten led the girls when she finished first in the 100
butterfly and was second in the 100 breast (1:08.68).
Amie McMahon was second in the 200 IM with a 2:26.9 and third in the 500
free (5:48.16). Lauren Dai did a nice job as well by taking at third in the
100 backstroke in a time of 1:13.42.
   Before the meet even got started against West Windsor South, just qualifying
for sectionals had been a major step forward for the South Brunswick program.
   "I think it’s a real positive accomplishment,” said Harding. "I thought the
boys would make it, but I wasn’t sure about the girls. For the girls it came
down to the eighth and final spot between us and North Brunswick, which we
had tied.”
The meet at West Windsor South was not totally unfamiliar territory since
the boys swam against the Mercer team last year. West Windsor South is also
coached by Paul Hamnett, who was an assistant at South Brunswick for two
years.
   "It was kind of bitter sweet,” said Hamnett after the meet. "John is a good
friend of mine and was very helpful and supportive in helping me get a job
at West Windsor. I didn’t want to be the one to beat them. You can expect
good things from them in the future."
   Concluded Harding: "Making the sectionals was definitely one of our goals.
What we want to do now is make it on a yearly basis. It really was a great
season for us.”