Boys swimmers top Lawrence
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Matt Kuhlik entered high school swimming unsure of how far the Princeton High School boys team could go.
Kuhlik’s freshman season has climbed all the way to the top, as he has helped the Little Tigers to the top seed in the Central Jersey B Division and wins in its first to state tournament meets.
”I don’t think any of us thought we’d be doing as well as we have,” said Kuhlik, who led a 50 freestyle sweep in the Little Tigers’ 98-72 semifinal win over Lawrence on Monday. “A lot of people have stepped up. We lost a lot of good swimmers from last year. I expected to have a decent season, but I don’t think we were expecting to have such a good season.”
The season continues Thursday at North Brunswick when PHS faces the winner of today’s other semifinal between second-seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro North and third-seeded Ocean.
”Ocean, regardless of the power points, we know is a really tough team,” said PHS head coach Greg Hand. “And we already know North is tough. They beat us in-season. Their depth is very good. They have quality and numbers that are hard to match. Either way, we have to be lucky and good. If we are that on Thursday, we’ll have a chance to win.”
The third-seeded WW-P North girls were scheduled to swim against No. 2 Ocean on Monday in a semifinal. The final is also Thursday at North Brunswick. The fifth-seeded PHS girls were eliminated in the first round with an 86-83 loss to No. 4 Wall in other CJ B action.
In Central Jersey A, third-seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro South eased by Steinert, 129-41, in the first round to advance to swim at No. 2 Cherry Hill West today. The final is scheduled for Friday at North Brunswick.
In North Jersey Section II A, third-seeded Montgomery High School beat No. 6 North Brunswick, 107-63, and will swim at No. 2 Westfield today. The fifth-seeded Cougar boys were eliminated in the first round with a 98-72 loss to No. 4 Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
The PHS boys beat Rumson-Fair Haven, 101-69, in the first round. Kuhlik also won the backstroke against Rumson.
”That’s probably the main stroke for me,” Kuhlik said. “I also do a little freestyle. Victor Honore is also a strong backstroke. We’ve been doing pretty well.”
They went 1-2 against Rumson. Kuhlik’s addition has helped the Little Tigers with depth and talent.
”From the start, we’ve relied on him to swim backstroke in virtually every meet,” Hand said. “He trains with the Piranhas (club team). He’s a very hard worker, very dedicated to his club team and the high school. He’s a big team guy. He’s gotten quite a bit faster.
”The other place we rely on him is the 50 or 100 free. He’s on the medley relay and he’s fast enough to have been part of the 400 freestyle relay that broke the school record and won the counties. I think he likes to compete and when it’s a close race you can see how hard he works to try to win.”
Kuhlik has been happy to fit into the Little Tigers team, and pleased to see how much his freshman class has helped. It’s also helped that PHS got Sean MacKenzie back in their lineup.
”We’ve gotten stronger throughout the year, especially after getting Sean MacKenzie,” Kuhlik said. “We’ve gotten a huge boost from him. He brought a lot more depth to the team.
”We were doing well before came, but he gave us a big boost,” he added. “He helped with the relays and with individual swims. He pretty much beats whomever he swims against.”
That combination of developments has helped push PHS to the top seed. It’s something that few expected at the start of the season.
”At the beginning of the year, without Sean and also with a lot of freshmen, we didn’t know very well how we’d do,” Hand said. “With those two questions marks, I didn’t anticipate us getting anywhere near this far. I didn’t see, if we got into states, a very high seed.
”I thought we might be able to get a berth as the season went along. The freshmen crop turned out to be a lot of great kids who really liked the sport and blended well on the team.”
Kuhlik has done his part to help wherever he’s been asked. With each state meet, he grows more accustomed to a little different routine without the girls events between each race. He’s looking forward to a chance at the sectional crown Thursday.
”It’s nice to have that seeding,” he said. “We have to make sure we’re not getting overconfident. There are a lot of strong teams. It’s good to be up there and confident, but we don’t want to get overconfident.
”I don’t know too much about Ocean. I heard they’re pretty good. North we lost against, but I think we’re a stronger team since we faced them. We beat them in counties. I’d feel pretty good going into a meet with North.”