Depth from SPF deals girls defeat
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
EWING — Like it had all season long, the Princeton High girls swim team dominated the first-place finishes in Sunday’s state Public B final against Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
Unfortunately for the Little Tigers, who won seven of the eight individual events, Scotch Plains showed off the depth that helped it to an undefeated season in a 100-70 win at The College of New Jersey.
”We came into this meet just wanting to do our best and I think that is what we did,” said junior Maddie Deardorff, who won the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. “We had a lot of best times and we had a school record. I am really proud of that. No matter what happens we still love each other. We’re a family basically. I think it was a great experience to make it this far and we’re excited about it.”
Deardorff set school record in winning the 100 breast in 1:09.35, while Princeton also picked up wins from Melinda Tang (200 free and 100 butterfly), Abbey Berloco (50 free and 100 free), and Brianna Romaine (100 backstroke). But in the end the Little Tiger wins were offset by the depth of the Raiders.
”I think their depth was great,” Deardorff said. “We made them work for it and they made us work. Coming into this meet all we could ask for was to do our best and we did that. I could not have asked for anything more from this team and I am really happy with how we did this year.”
The loss was the first of the season for Princeton, which finished 15-1 and also won the Mercer County championship.
”They came in here and put their heart and soul into every race,” Princeton coach Carly Misiewicz said. “We had best times and there was nothing else I could ask of them. Maddie broke the school record and we had a lot of best times across the board. We had some huge times. They were just deeper than we were. But you can’t worry about the other team. You just have to worry about yourself and that is what they did.”
The Little Tigers were right in the meet until Scotch Plains went 1-2-3 in the 500 free to break the meet open. But even as the gap in the score began to widen, the Little Tigers never let up with their effort.
”Our girls are fighters,” Misiewicz said. “They’re not going to give up. One of my biggest things from when I was a college swimmer was they might win the meet but don’t let them win the last race. They put their heart and souls into everything and it really showed. I am so happy with what we have done this year. I am just so happy and proud of them to make it to this point.”
The Little Tigers will look to build on this season when they head into next year. Many of the swimmers return, including each of the girls who won an individual event in the meet on Sunday.
”Each year we have gotten better and better,” Deardorff said. “I think next year we can make it just as far if not further. We have lot of returning swimmers and I think we can go really far next year.”
Added Misiewicz: “We do have quite a few girls coming back, which is phenomenal. We’re excited for next year. But this year isn’t over yet. We have Meet of Champs coming up next week. I am just really excited to see where we are going to head into next year. It’s a learning experience. We made them work for it.”