SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Vikes maintain success

By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
   Has the South Brunswick High boys swim team truly arrived as a program?
   If the last two seasons are any indication, it just may have.
   The Vikings graduated nine members from last year’s 10-1 team, and losses like that can usually kill a team for at least one season.
   But SBHS came back with a 9-3 record, with its only losses coming to powerful Rancocas Valley and Bridgewater-Raritan and the dynasty that is St. Joe’s of Metuchen. And the St. Joe’s loss was by just 14 points, the closest the Vikings have ever come to beating the Falcons.
   ”We were very formidable this year,” coach John Harding said. “We made it to states for the fourth year in a row and we sent (a record) six boys to the Meet of Champions.
   ”Unfortunately, we’re saying goodbye to a pretty good core. We’re losing nine more guys. Some pretty good depth has carried us for a few years so we’re going to take a little hit there. We’ll have lost 18 guys in two years. But I’m hoping the young guys can step up as they’ve been doing.”
   The big losses will be Tyler Wardlow, who qualified for four MOC events, and James Kugel. Both are four-year varsity members.
   ”They are definitely our top guns and losing them is certainly going to hurt,” Harding said. “Wardlow is an all-around guy, I could use him everywhere. Kugel isn’t far off that. He had such good sprinting speed I could have used him there all the time.”
   Kugel is headed for Lafayette next year while Wardlow is contemplating The College of New Jersey.
   Also graduating are Mike Ungano, Will Samtur, Chris Hochman, Matt Salisbury, Jesse Liu, Mark Ruf and Matt Holsten.
   ”Losing Ungano will be a big hit, he’s a consistent performer in the IM and breast. Samtur is another big hit. These guys were tough in individual events, and a big part of our relay teams. They help you score a lot of points and do well.
   We’re also losing Chris Hochman in the fly and back, which leaves a couple of big spots. Salisbury was a help in the freestyle relays along with Jesse and Mark. And Holsten did well in distances.”
   The cupboard will not be completely bare as juniors Ben Woller (freestyle) and Andrew Gong (distance) will both be back. Also returning are sophomores Calvin Chiu and Andrew Kudwitt, “who both got a lot bigger and stronger” this year according to Harding.
   Tyler Blackburn headlined the freshman group along with Ryan Finch.
   ”Tyler came in with some serious talent,” Harding said. “Now the rest of them need to pick it up next year.”
   Afterall, a precedent has been set.