Vikes awesome against Old Bridge

By Sean Richards, Sports Writer
   It was like a canoe taking on an aircraft carrier. The South Brunswick High School swimming team didn’t just beat Old Bridge last week, it obliterated it.
   When all was said and done at South Brunswick’s home Dillon Pool at Princeton University, the boys had prevailed by a score of 131-38. The girls beat Old Bridge by an even more lopsided margin of 132-37.
   In short, total domination and the type of scores Viking fans can expect this year when their team is not up against top-flight competition.
   ”The team looked very good,” coach John Harding said. “The girls won every event and the boys won all but one. You can never really control the opposition, but I like where we are at this time of the season.”
   The boys were led by Mike Socienski, who set a new school record in the 100 free by swimming a 51.6. Socienski, who is an amazing story in that he didn’t start swimming until last year, also just missed the school record in the 50 free with a time of 23.15.
   Another double winner for the boys was Henry Ma, who was the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. He was also part of the winning 200 medley and 400 relay teams.
   Also impressing was freshman Calvin Chiu. He won the 100 backstroke in a 1:00.8 and was also on a winning relay.
   ”That’s pretty big if you think about it,” said Harding of Chiu.
   Will Samtur and Dylan Diatlo (first in the 100 fly) also had good days for the Vikes, who are now 1-0 on the season.
   ”We’re way ahead of our times for last year,” said Harding. “The boys looked unbelievable.”
   Ditto for the girls, who are also getting a big effort from a freshman, Namely, Gessica Charniga, who won the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke to raise her record to 4-0 in races this year.
   Other double winners for the girls were Danielle Bartolotta (200 free, 1,500 free), Liz Samtur (100 butterfly, 50 free) and Amie McMahon (100 backstroke, 100 free).
   Two other freshman who continue to swim well are Sarah Malinski and Vania Wu, who were part of the winning 400 relay team along with Bartolotta and Lauren Dai.
   ”The times for the girls are also very good,” said Harding. “Overall, I’m very pleased with what I’m seeing from the whole team.”
   South Brunswick was to have been back in action Wednesday against East Brunswick. Meets next week include Piscataway Wednesday and North Brunswick Thursday before taking a week off over the holidays.