When state champion Joe Gallene led the Freehold High School boys swim team two years ago, he wanted his excellence to be the start of a winning tradition and not a one-year wonder led by New Jersey’s best freestyle sprinter.
Gallene is now a sophomore at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and the Colonials are still winning. Freehold’s swim team has become what Gallene wanted it to be— a program with a winning tradition.
Freehold is 5-1 in dual meets this season and has given itself a chance to qualify for the state tournament for a third straight year. Coach Kristen Caburis expected as much from her team in 2011-12.
“It is no surprise to me that they are good,” Caburis said of her swimmers. “I have a great group of young swimmers who know their potential and work hard in practice, which shows in the meets. I think we have a good chance to make it to the states like last year … I have a lot of top swimmers on my team.”
Steven Roth, Matt Gallene (Joe’s brother), Leon Lin, Hugh O’Neill, Quinn Leuper, Seamus Maloney, David Shen, Andy Huynh and Henry Zhang are among the swimmers who give the Colonials the depth that a winning team needs. The Colonials made a very strong statement on Jan. 20 at the Monmouth County Championships as the squad delivered its finest performance ever, finishing second in the team standings behind private school Christian Brothers Academy.
The Colts won their 22nd straight Monmouth County title with 433 points. Freehold was the top public school, compiling 230 points.
O’Neill was second in the 100 and 200 freestyle races and fourth in the 400.
Gallene was third in the 50 freestyle and sixth in the 100 freestyle.
Roth was third in 100 butterfly and sixth in the 200 freestyle.
Huynh placed fifth in the 100 butterfly.
Freehold’s relay teams were third in the 200 medley and the 400 freestyle.
The Monmouth County meet was held at the Neptune Aquatic Center.
The Shore Conference Championships are scheduled for Feb. 4 at the Ocean County YMCA in Toms River.
Freehold will have a good warm-up meet prior to the Shore Conference Championships as the Colonials will face Shore Conference A North Division public school champion Marlboro High School on Feb. 2.
CBA won the overall A North title.