LINWOOD — After three straight South Jersey sectional titles in a row, Mainland Regional High School boys swim coach Brian Booth is bullish on his 2025-26 team that returns a solid core.
The Mustangs are 3-1 with a Dec. 19 victory over Vineland 120-50), a Dec. 16 win over Ocean City (102-68) and a win the week before over Cedar Creek (132-37).
The team lost its season opener to powerful St. Augustine Prep, but it wasn’t a lopsided result. The Mustangs won five events while falling to the Prep 93-77.
“We started with a tough meet against St. Augustine, but we swam well for going up against the number two team in the state,” Booth said. “I’m hoping it’s a good foreshadowing for the rest of our season. We’re working hard and hoping to get better as we go and see where the playoff run takes us.”
Mainland lost a top swimmer in Alex Savov, but he has multiple standouts back.
Booth cited Brian Falk. “He really can do anything, but he’s our 200, 500 guy. He could be our 100 guy or 50 guy if we want him to.”
Falk won the 200-meter freestyle and 500 freestyle in the meet against the Prep.
The coach mentioned sprinter Liam Kennedy, who also won two events against Prep’s Hermits, the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.
Falk and Kennedy teamed up with Tristan Meyers and Sam Smith to win the 400 freestyle relay.
Other swimmers of note include Justin Yon and Robert Nirenberg.
“We kept it relatively close compared to what we’ve done in the past,” Booth noted about the Prep meet, “but like I said, we’re excited to see where we can go.”
The boys were swimming against Absegami on Monday after the Sentinel went to press, then there is a lengthy break for his team. They won’t be back in the water until Jan. 7, when they’ll face a strong Egg Harbor Township team. After that it will be Atlantic City on Jan. 14, Oakcrest on Jan. 22 and Haddon Township on Jan. 26.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
