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Jan. 8 Swimming
Steinert's Maggie Herbert wims to a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle with a time of 59.79 against Princeton today
(Photo by Nancy Eggert).
A good time is had by all as Nottingham takes co-ed win over Trenton
By Tony Piscotta
Fish4scores.com
Jan. 8: The annual co-ed meet between Nottingham and Trenton is usually one of the more
enjoyable days for the Stars' swim team - and not just because Nottingham usually comes out on top.
"I think it's a lot more fun to swim with the boys because it's a different experience,” senior
Alyssa Tomaseck said. “It's also better to see how we are and how we compete as a team.”
Tomaseck had her best swim of the year in the 200 freestyle (2:47.43) in finishing second to
"teammate" Frank Gonzalez (2:14.47) in the Stars' 71-23 win.
But while the results were enjoyable - the Stars won every race except the 200 free relay and
finished one-two in eight of the 11 events - it was the spirit of the host team that made the day that
much more enjoyable.
"They show the most spirit, every single year that we swim with them," said Tomaseck.
Senior Mark Kieffer, one of the Stars captains, agreed.
"We never had anyone clap for us after we cheered. That was different. They definitely have
great sportsmanship," Kieffer said.
Kieffer won the 500 freestyle by a wide margin (6:38.03) ahead of Bridget Doolittle (7:04.33)
and also swam in the 200 Free Relay in the next race.
The meet also held some family significance for Kieffer as his uncle Scott swam for Trenton
High in the 1980's and he found it fun to swim in Trenton's historic four-lane pool.
"It's great to get the experience. Not too many people are used to being in this really small
pool, crammed up," Kieffer said.
Like Tomaseck, he also enjoyed both the camaraderie and friendly competition between the
boys and girls teams.
During training, the Stars hold workouts in A and B groups so that the top boys and girls
swimmers are in the pool together everyday so it's nothing new. But swimming in a meet is another
story.
"It's nice to have that little competition going, boys trying to beat the girls and everything like
that. So it's nice," Kieffer said.
In addition to Kieffer and Gonzalez, the Stars winners were Jeremy Oiler, Michael John,
Thomas Padulchick, and Max Wackerman in the 200 Relay, Oiler in the 200 IM, Joe Oliver in the 50
and 100 Freestyle, John in the 100 Fly, Padulchick in the 100 Backstroke, Anthony Tafrow in the 100
breaststroke, and Doolittle, Amanda Ritardi, Wackerman and Oiler in the 400 freestyle relay.
"It's kind of a thing that brings kids spirits up because you go against teams like Princeton and
the West Windsor's and it kind of hurts. To come out here and get some firsts it's really nice for the
team," Kieffer said.
In addition to Doolittle and Tomaseck, other members of the girls team finishing second were
Kaitlin Kowalec (100 Free), junior Theresa Henry (100 Breaststroke) and Victoria Navarro (100
Backstroke).
While the Stars face an uphill battle in their upcoming meets with West Windsor-Plainsboro
North and West Windsor-Plainsboro South, this year's team is a cohesive unit.
"We're a lot closer this year,” Kieffer said. “Last year we didn't' have as many pasta parties. Not
many people got together. This meet everyone's getting together afterwards.”
And today they all got together to pull off a win.
Hutton a Hornet highlight reel against powerful WW-Plainsboro South
Griffin Hutton continued his winning wins, picking up a pair of individual victories as the
Hamilton West boys lost to West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 117-53, on Tuesday. Hutton was first in
the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.37) and the 500 freestyle (4:55.07) to lead the Hornets.
The Hornets also picked up a win in the 100 free, where Jacob Torres finished first in 53.97.
Torres was also second in the 200 free with a time of 1:55.55. Other top three finishes for the Hornets
came from John Novak (third in the 50 free), Matt Maul (third in the 100 fly), and Matt Esposito (third in
the 100 breast).
The Hamilton girls dropped a 133-37 decision to the Pirates. Sofi Walter was second in the 200
free and third in the 100 free to lead the Hornets. Other top three finishes came from Christine
Carbone (third in the 50 free) and Maddie Uram (third in the 100 breast).
Dalton, Horner double-winners as Steinert falls to formidable Princeton
The standout Princeton swim program came to town today and although Steinert’s boys and
girls teams both lost, sophomore Tess Dalton and freshman Maddie Horner had a nice day for the girls
with two wins apiece.
In the girls 109-61 setback, Dalton won the 100 freestyle in 2:10.48, and was also part of the
winning, underclassmen-laden 200 free relay team (1:49.63) along with Horner, sophomore Hailey
Thayer and junior Maggie Herbert. Horner added a win in the 50 free (25.87) and also had a second in
the 100 fly.
Second-place finishers included Herbert (100 free) and Thayer (100 back), while taking thirds
were Thayer (200 IM), Herbert (50 free), Heather Gandy (500 free) and Ciera Jones (100 breast).
In the boys 117-53 defeat, Zach Mabin had the lone first-place with a 1:01.73 in the 100 breast,
and also finished second in the 200 IM.
Other seconds went to Billy Maloney (50 free) and Tyler Gulsby (100 free, 100 back). Taking
thirds were Mike Byrne (2:07.59), Steven Huie (100 fly) and Jacob Kosowski (500 free).