They’re 5-3 on the season with losses to some of the toughest S.J. teams
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Red Raider girls swim team has lost three meets this season to strong opponents – Egg Harbor Township, Mainland Regional and Our Lady of Mercy Academy – but has offset that with five wins.
The Ocean City High School girls downed Oakcrest Jan. 12 on the road and then beat Middle Township 121-49 Friday, Jan. 16, at the Cape May County Special Services District School pool.
“It’s been a growing experience for us this year,” head coach Ian Keyser said after Friday’s meet. “It’s been hard when you’ve had losses to Mainland, EHT, OLMA. They’re some of the best teams in all South Jersey.
“You want that to be a measuring stick, but I think we fared well in some of them. We swam OK this year,” he said. The EHT meet was close, 89-81 early in the season and when Mainland beat them 109-61, the Red Raiders only suited up half their team because of illness.
“I think we’re growing as a team. I think we’ve kind of put it together these last couple weeks, we’ve put in some good work the second half of the season. We have a big meet coming up this week against Clearview, which is going to determine a lot for South Jersey playoffs,” he said. The Clearview meet is at 4 p.m. Thursday at home at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center.
“We’re really looking forward to that meet and really finishing the season strong,” he said.
The Ocean City girls are currently ranked fourth in Power Points in South Jersey Group B. Shawnee (9-0) is at the top, followed by Mainland (5-2) and Clearview (3-2), which at 2337 points is just above Ocean City, which is at 2334.67.
Keyser noted he has a couple girls who are close to qualifying for the Meet of Champions, including Hope Robbins in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 200 medley relay. The 400 freestyle relay, he said, also is coming close to qualifying.
The girls have a few opportunities coming up to qualify, including the Clearview meet and the South Jersey Swim Coaches Invitational Saturday at Gloucester County Institute of Technology.
“There will be some of the best swimmers in South Jersey to go up against so we’re looking forward to that meet as well,” Keyser said.
OCHS 121, Middle 49
Red Raiders Holly Aiken, Hope Robbins, Melanie Gannon and Addie Robbins combined to win the opening 200 medley relay against the Panthers in a time of 1:58.47. Teammates Grace Bridgeford, Marina Zappone, Carina Mattern and Coryn Driscoll were second in 2:11.51.
Middle’s Daisy Conrey, Madeline Bernacki, Maria Windle and Olivia Orton were third.
Grace Hays won the 200 freestyle in 2:15.91 with teammates Addisyn Fisher and Quinn Laricks third and fourth. Middle’s Rachel Fuscaldo was second.
Kate Elder (2:26.81) and Cori Hemberger went 1-2 in the 200 individual medley with Driscoll fourth. Middle’s Lana Quinn was third.
Hope Robbins (27.16 seconds) and Mattern (27.61) followed that with a 1-2 placement in the 50 freestyle. Middle’s Olivia Orton was third.
Gannon (1:02.58) and Hays had another 1-2 finish in the 100 butterfly with Middle’s Quinn third.
Aiken won the 100 freestyle in 58.42 seconds and Addie Robbins was second. Middle’s Orton was third.
Elder won the 400 freestyle in 5:49.09 in a sweep that saw Hemberger and Fisher second and third for the Red Raiders.
Mattern, Katie Pierce, Driscoll and Hays teamed up to win the 200 freestyle relay in 1:55.21. Middle’s Quinn, Isla Berkey, Daisey Conrey and Orton were second and Panthers Julianna Sittineri, Emma Ratchford, Paige Peters and Daily Burrows were third.
Bridgeford won the 100 backstroke in 1:15.98 with Laricks second and Middle’s Ratchford third.
Hope Robbins (1:12.03) and Zappone finished first and second in the 100 breaststroke. Middle’s Bernacki was third.
Ocean City wrapped the meet taking first and second in the 400 freestyle relay.
Gannon, Addie Robbins, Elder and Aiken won in 3:59.41 and Hemberger, Bridgeford, Laricks and Fisher were second. Middle’s Ratchford, Berkey, Mia McGarrity and Fuscaldo were third.
Middle Township is 3-2.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
