Junior sets personal record in 200 free
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
It wasn’t the perfect day, but Danielle Caruso came up with two results at the Meet of Champions at Gloucester Institute of Technology that demonstrated how she’s developed as a swimmer.
The Northern Burlington County High School junior posted a pair of results that combined made it her best appearance at the MOC. The lone representative from the Greyhounds team came away happy overall with her third straight trip to the top high school meet in New Jersey.
”I was just thinking about it,” Caruso said. “It feels like just yesterday that I was a freshman there.”
Each year, she’s done better overall at the MOC. Caruso would love to see that trend continue at next year’s state final.
”This was her best,” said Greyhounds head coach Megan Harrison. “She didn’t qualify in the finals for the 200 last year. And she placed better in the 500 even though her time went up. She was just named third team All-South Jersey for the 500, and first team Burlington County for the 200 free.”
As a freshman, she did not even qualify for the 200 freestyle at the MOC. Last year, she came in with a top time of 1:58.10 in the 200 free and swam 2:01.35 for 42nd place in the state. She made a big jump this season. After swimming 1:56.06 in the preliminaries this year, she didn’t expect a chance to swim in the finals, but a scratched swimmer opened the door for her to swim in the B final.
”I found at the end of warm-ups that I was going to do it,” Caruso said. “My coach came over and told me, and I was so excited.
”I was hoping in the back of my mind that I’d be able to swim it. I didn’t completely erase it from my mind.”
Her faith was rewarded when Caruso opened her MOC with a personal-record 1:55.14 to place third in the final, 11th overall in the standings. She got a little push from her unexpected chance to compete.
”It really did give me an extra boost,” Caruso said. “It was sort of nice that I didn’t know about it beforehand. I didn’t have to get too stressed about it.
”Last year, I don’t even think I was top 20,” she added. “I was 40-something in the 200. The fact I got 11th, I’m really proud of myself.”
Her excitement was more tempered about her 500 free finish. As a freshman, she tied for sixth overall in the 500 free with a time of 5:07.21. She had gone 5:09.94 in the prelims. She did 5:12.36 in the preliminaries of the 500 free last year and dropped to 5:11.86 for fourth in the B final, but 12th overall.
In the preliminaries this year, Caruso was right where she wanted to be, at 5:08.42 to qualify for her second A final in three years. In the final, she finished seventh overall in 5:13.56.
”My (500) best is 5:07,” Caruso said. “I’ve gotten a 5:08 this year. The fact I got a 5:08 in prelims was exciting for me.
”I was definitely a lot happier with my 200 time,” she added. “Going into this year I had a 1:58, so dropping three seconds is exciting for me. I was hoping to drop a little more in the 500. I’m happy I at least had a chance to drop in my 200.”
Added Harrison: “When you’re her and you don’t do as well as you wanted to, she’s upset.”
Caruso had the fastest lap counter at the pool for her 500. Kelsi Worrell, a teammate on the Jersey Storm club team who swims for Rancocas Valley High, had won the 200 free in a meet record, but still came to count laps for her friend.
”Her and Kelsi are really close,” Harrison said. “They’ve been swimming together since they were 8. Danielle’s sportsmanship is incredible. Danielle is just a nice girl. She’s got great character.”
She made a fine representative for the Northern swim team that this year achieved new heights. Caruso’s appearance at the MOC capped their season.
”She has huge support, not just from kids on the team, but from the school and administration,” Harrison said. “As the only person to make it to the Meet of Champs from the school, the whole community has been looking up to her.”
Getting the chance to represent the Greyhounds is a big deal for Caruso. The competition at the meet is also appeals to her.
”I just really like states,” Caruso said. “It’s everybody from all the different club teams. They’re with their schools. There are rivalries between the schools and everyone has rivalries, but they all hang out.
”It really is fun. I think my coach has a great time there. It’s like a really great opportunity.”
Caruso looks forward to the state meet each year for the chance to test herself against the fastest swimmers in Jersey. She is looking to ride her strong showing in the 200 free to the Middle Atlantic Senior Championships in York, Pa., on March 23. She will have the chance to exhibit her versatility there, more than in the states, where she could just swim two individual events. In club, she does everything from the 100 to the 1,000 meters and mile, as well as some backstroke and butterfly.
”A couple of us from our club team tapered for states and we’ll start tapering this weekend again,” Caruso said. “I’m definitely looking forward to the 100. I’m hoping I can drop a little more in the 200 too.
”I’m a mid-distance swimmer. Hopefully with the training I’ve been doing, I’ll be able to drop some time in the 100. I have a 54 (second personal best) right now.”
Danielle Caruso still has another year to represent Northern before she hopes to pursue swimming in college. It’s another chance to outdo herself, which won’t be easy after a strong finish to her junior season.
”This is only my second year, but this is her best year,” Harrison said. “I think she did much better than last year. Just by how well she did at states and South Jersey’s alone. Getting her personal best at states and swimming in the 200 final, which she didn’t do last year.
”I expect even more from her next year. I expect better things from her next year.”
So does Danielle Caruso.
”I’m definitely going to make next year my best,” she said.

