X-Cel Swimming Announces Fifth Place Win at NJ State Championships!

 Dec 22, 2011

Princeton, NJ- X-Cel Swimming places fifth with a combined score of 1,719 points. X-Cel swimmers earn individual high point recognition, several first place finishes and many improved times at the 2011 NJ State Champs meet held at GCIT in Sewell, NJ, Dec. 17-18. Congratulations to Daniel Baytin, 6, for his first place ranking and high point score of 114! Congratulations to Michael Zhong, 12, Jeffrey Chan, 15 and Stephen Schultz, 16, who also earned high point recognition! Top eight results follow:
In the 6 & under age group, Daniel Baytin, 6, swam to first place wins in the following events: 25 back (22.60), 50 free (42.66), 100 IM (1:51.91) and 25 breast (25.93). Baytin also placed second in both the 25 fly (25.68) and the 25 free (19.33).

In the 8 & under age group, Jonathan Wu, 8, finished fifth in both the 25 free (16.01) and 100 IM (1:31.97). Wu also placed sixth in the 50 free (35.70) and eighth in both the 50 breast (51.21) and 25 fly (18.70).
In the 9-10 age group, Spencer Chen, 10, placed first in the 100 breast (1:28.74), second in the 50 breast (42.78), fourth in the 200 IM (2:59.72) and sixth in the 200 free (2:44.86). Allison Chou, 10, placed first in both the 50 free (30.44) and 200 free (2:29.01). Chou also placed second in the 100 free (1:08.05), third in the 100 breast (1:30.09), fourth in the 50 breast (43.09) and sixth in the 100 IM (1:19.31). Alexandra Comaniciu, 10, placed first in the following events: 100 free (1:10.26), 100 breast (1:33.23), 200 free (2:32.31) and 100 fly (1:23.56). Comaniciu also placed second in the 200 IM (2:48.99) and seventh in the 50 breast (45.21). Morgan Linsley, 10, placed third in the 100 breast (1:36.27), fifth in the 100 free (1:14.56), seventh in the 100 IM (1:28.64) and eighth in the 50 breast (45.68). Kate McConlogue, 9, placed sixth in both the 50 back (41.65) and 100 breast (1:44.60). Anthony Napreev, 9, placed second in the 200 IM (3:27.43) and fourth in the 50 back (41.52). Alex Sang, 10, won first place in the 200 IM (3:09.57), fifth in the 200 free (2:43.82), sixth in both the 100 free (1:13.71) and 50 back (40.50). Sang also placed seventh in the 50 breast (49.00). Oliver Tang, 10, won first place in the 100 free (1:12.64), placed third in the 50 back (39.46), fifth in the 100 IM (1:28.00), sixth in the 200 IM (3:06.67) and eighth in the 50 breast (46.24). Grace Zhang, 10, swam to a first place win in both the 100 fly (1:20.58) and 200 IM (2:53.75). Zhang also placed second in the 100 breast (1:33.94), fourth in the 200 free (2:46.50), sixth in the 100 free (1:15.02) and eighth in the 100 back (1:26.74).

In the 11-12 age group, Anna Cao, 11, placed first in the 200 IM (2:46.76) and seventh in the 100 free (1:07.51). David Chang, 12, placed third in the 50 fly (31.89) and seventh in the 200 IM (2:41.65). Samuel Golbin, 12, placed sixth in both the 1650 free (23:08.40) and 100 fly (1:21.21). Kevin Liu, 12, placed third in the 50 breast (38.21), fourth in both the 100 breast (1:23.24) and the 200 IM (2:37.90), fifth in the 1650 free (22:11.04) and eighth in the 100 free (1:04.09). Michael Liu, 12, placed second in the 100 fly (1:12.76), third in the 200 IM (2:31.29), fourth in the 1650 free (21:24.47), fifth in the 50 breast (36.33), sixth in the 100 free (1:02.04) and eighth in the 50 back (33:07). Jacqueline Ngu, 12, finished first in the 1650 free (19:57.24) and fourth in the 100 breast (1:27.52). Ashley Own, 11, placed sixth in the 100 back (1:18.47) and seventh in the 50 breast (41.39). Emily Ren, 11, finished second in the 100 breast (1:26.13), fourth in both the 50 breast (40.65) and 100 fly (1:18.64) and eighth in the 100 back (1:16.30). Ajay Sarathy, 12, placed first in the 100 breast (1:16.40), third in the 200 IM (2:35.65) and sixth in the 100 free (1:02.95). Dhruv Sharma, 12, placed sixth in the 50 fly (36.32). Sreyans Tanga, 11, swam to a first place win in the 1650 free (19:49.31), second in the 50 back (35.88) and third in the 200 IM (2:45.72). Melinda Tang, 12, won first place in the 1650 free (19:14.49) and placed second in both the 50 back (31.75) and 100 breast (1:20.74). Dylan Torrance, 11, finished first in the following events: 400 IM (5:23.55), 100 free (1:04.48), 100 IM (1:13.19). Torrance also placed third in both the 1650 free (20:42.14) and the 100 breast (1:22.88). Vijay Vatti, 11, placed first in both the 200 IM (2:41.87) and the 100 fly (1:16.41). Vatti also placed second in the 100 back (1:16.02), third in the 200 free (2:21.39) and fourth in the 100 breast (1:28.48). Catherine Yang, 11, placed fifth in the 50 breast (40.69) and seventh in the 100 breast (1:28.93). Alexander Yu, 12, placed first in the 50 back (34.05), second in both the 200 IM (2:42.82) and the 200 free (2:19.90), seventh in the 50 breast (42.41) and eighth in the 100 fly (1:21.35). Richard Yuan, 11, placed fourth in the following events: 100 fly (1:19.89), 100 back (1:12.56) and 100 free (1:07.59). Michael Zhong, 12, placed first in the 100 back (1:08.75), second in the 1650 free (19:55.58), third in both the 100 IM (1:11.10) and the 50 fly (30.77), fourth in the 50 free (27.65) and seventh in the 50 back (32.62).

In the 13-14 age group, Christian Chiang, 14, placed first in the 200 breast (2:38.10) and third in the 100 breast (1:12.99). Madeline Deardorff, 13, placed first in the 1650 free (18:53.53) and sixth in the 200 free (2:07.56). Richard Deng, 13, placed sixth in both the 100 free (57.64) and 100 back (1:07.00). Frewin Hu, 14, won first place in the 200 fly ( 2:25.34), third in both the 500 free (5:52.92) and 200 back (2:26.73). Hu also placed fourth in both the 400 IM (5:07.68) and 100 fly (1:03.60) and sixth in the 200 IM (2:26.84). Emily Hung, 13, placed second in the 200 breast (2:52.48), third in 1650 free (19:43.50) and fifth in 200 free (2:06.80). Russell In, 13, placed fourth in the 200 breast (2;48.75). Brian Li, 13, placed second in the 200 breast (2:42.75), fourth in both the 200 free (2:11.40) and 100 breast (1:17.05). Li also placed fifth in the 400 IM (5:18.69) and sixth in both the 200 IM (2:26.84) and 500 free (6:05.99). Jason Ma, 14, placed fifth in the 500 free (6:02.12) and sixth in the 200 free (2:14.17). Sophia Torrance, 13, placed second in both the 500 free (5:59.26) and 100 fly (1:10.46), third in the 200 breast (2:55.48), fourth in the 100 back (1:10.43) and fifth in the 200 free (2:15.15). Rachel Zhou, 13, swam to a first place win in the 200 fly (2:43.63), placed fourth in the 500 free (5:50.96) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:59.31).

In the senior age group, John Bond, 17, placed second in the 1650 free (17:45.96), third in the 400 IM (4:47.00), seventh in the 100 fly (1:00.77) and eighth in the 200 free (1:57.13). Jeffrey Chan, 15, placed second in both the 500 free (5:19.19) and 100 back (1:02.76), third in the 200 free (1:52.69), fourth in the 100 free (51.86) and sixth in the 50 free (23.86). Taylor Chiang, 15, placed third in both the 100 breast (1:17.06) and 200 breast (2:46.58), fourth in both the 100 free (1:01.69) and 200 IM (2:31.60) and fifth in the 200 free (2:17.26). Paul Gramieri, 16, placed third in both the 100 breast (1:15.55) and 500 free (5:35.73) and fourth in both the 200 free (2:00.89) and 100 fly (1:04.83). Shivani Kuckreja, 17, placed second in the 500 free (6:23.51), third in the following events: 200 back (2:31.77), 100 fly (1:11.29) and 50 free (29.00). Kuckreja also placed fourth in both the 100 breast (1:19.42) and 100 back (1:10.69). Stephen Schultz, 16, won first place in the 200 fly (2:20.40), second in the 400 IM (4:41.00) and third in the following events: 200 back (2:12.90), 100 fly (59.80), 100 back (1:04.02) and 500 free (5:24.82). Gabriel Shindnes, 15, placed first in the 1650 free (19:30.28), second in the 100 free (55.40) and fourth in the 100 back (1:04.65). Shindnes also placed sixth in the following events: 200 free (2:03.17), 200 back (2:20.35) and 100 fly (1:07.09). Colburn Yu, 15, swam to a third place finish in the 1650 free (17:46.47).

X-Cel Swimming is a USA Swimming team founded in 1995. The program is led by Head Coach Lucy (SiPei) Le, five time Chinese National Champion and former Olympic Team Member. X-Cel provides a comprehensive youth swimming program for all levels of competitive swimming, from novice to National level athlete. X-Cel's focused workouts with trained, qualified coaches give each swimmer the opportunity to achieve his or her highest potential. Each swimmer develops physically, emotionally and mentally, schooled in the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork. X-Cel’s program is based at Princeton University’s state of the art DeNunzio Pool. For more information on X-Cel, please visit our website: www.xcelswimming.org.

Winter Sports Preview - JAN 2012

By Ali Stagnitta  Jan 20, 2012

As the fall season wrapped up, the winter sports season began. Athletes have been training, scrimmaging, and even competing, kicking off the 2011-2012 winter season.

The boys basketball team faces many challenges this season after losing Ryan McCoy, Matt Mignon and Jon Lott; however, a talented group of seniors, Tim Maloney, Joe Shovlin, Kevin Johnson, and Brendan Fay now lead the team. Coach Grundy plans to continue the team’s triumphant streak and create a “family” oriented environment. While they will face tough competition in the Skyland Conference, Coach Grundy is positive that the team will be consistent, work hard and continue its victorious ways. Come out and support the Cougar basketball program as the boys play Immaculata at home on January 7.

Tim Sullivan, the boys fencing coach, is excited to bettering the perennially victorious fencing team. Last year the team finished with a 12-4 record, a conference championship, and a high placement in districts. This season, the boys are focused on gaining the top spot in districts as well as recapturing the conference. John Zang, Mir Ali, and Nick Sledeski lead the team this year in foil, epee, and saber matches and will be prominent fencers in the team’s matches against the toughest teams in the area - Ridge, Hunterdon Central, and Voorhees. The boys will face the Watchung Hill Warriors January 10 at Montgomery High School.

The triumphant girls swimming team, coached by Claire Scarpa, has kicked off the season with a big win against Ridge, 111-59. The team’s star swimmers include Megan Lydzinski, who recently committed to Princeton University, Anna Marshall, who committed to Fordham University, Hannah Matheson, and Lily Stauffer. The girls also beat Hillsborough, their most challenging opponent, and came one step closer to achieving their goal of capturing the Somerset County Championship for the first time. The team is also motivated to beat Mt. St. Mary’s, one of New Jersey’s best teams, for the first time. Coach Scarpa shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming season: “We are much stronger this year than we were last year, so I want to accomplish a lot, but still keep the pressure off of the girls.” The ladies will compete at the Conference Championships Saturday, January 7.

The girl’s winter track team is working harder than ever to qualify for post season meets. They plan to place high in county and conference meets and prepare for even greater success in the spring season. Their toughest competition this season will be against Hillsborough and Ridge however, returning star athletes Addy Sonaike, Jillian Kelly, and Caroline Szakats will be leading the team to victory. Coach Tim Bartholomew expects that the ladies will be productive, healthy, and work harder than before in hopes to be eligible for larger meets.

The wrestling team kicks off the season with a new coach and several achievable goals. Coach Kurt Franey is excited to begin his first year as head coach and believes the team has great potential to succeed. The team’s veteran superstars include David Bergida, who was 30-10 last season and qualified for states. Also, Lenny Bird, Kevin Kolb and Louis Colonna are slated to lead the team to victory and qualify for post-season tournaments. The team looks forward to competing against their toughest opponent, Phillipsburg, on January 4, 2012. “I expect our kids to have another strong season! We are looking to win the Somerset County Championship, as well as the Skyland Conference Championship,” boys winter track coach, Zoran Milich, explained his goals and expectations for this season. The team is full of many talented, returning seniors including high jumper Nick Tinsley, sprinter/hurdler Joe Messick, pole vaulter Rob Heebner, and sprinter Dave Mullin. The boys look forward to a successful winter season and hope to exceed expectations by sending at least two athletes to the Meet of Champions at the end of the season.

Coach Robert Scarpa shared his hopes for the upcoming ice hockey season. The team, already 4-1, is on their way to achieving their goal to compete in the state tournament. “Our goals for this season are to win as many conference games as possible to ensure a good seed in the state tournament, and improve our team chemistry each week,” shared Scarpa. The boys toughest competition includes Pingry, Ridge, Bridgewater and Randolph; however, they have already been successful against Ridge, beating them 3-1 in the season opener. Against Ridge, senior Kevin Wanke had one goal and Jeff Garinger, two. Lucas Esposito is also a prominent player on the team and the trio will be important assets in future games. The boys play Hunterdon Central on January 11.
Good luck to all of the winter sport student athletes! Happy holidays to all, and I wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

MHS Winter Sports - Feb 2012

By Ali Stagnitta  Jan 20, 2012

2012 Brings Victories to Montgomery
The Montgomery winter sports teams kicked off 2012 by breaking records, claiming championships, and fighting for hard-earned victories.
Montgomery wrestling starte

d the season by placing fifth out of 11 teams in the Howell High School tournament. There, senior David Bergida finished first, making him the third wrestler in the program’s history to reach 86 career wins. The Cougars lost a close match against Somerville, but defeated Bernards 46-33. The team faces many challenges as they compete in one of the most difficult conferences, that includes top-state contenders, such as Phillipsburg. “Our major challenges are having enough athletes at the right weight to fill all of the weight classes. [But] my athletes have impressed me with their hard work and commitment to each other,” said coach Kurt Franey. The boys hope to improve their 1-4 record in future matches against teams such as Hillsborough, Hopewell and Peddie.

The MHS Boys winter track team has competed in three meets thus far and the results have been prizewinning. The boys placed second at the Somerset County Indoor Championships for the second year in a row. Nick Tinsley has remained undefeated this season in the high jump event, taking gold at the Somerset County Championship and the Spike Shoe event in NYC. He recently set the county meet record with a jump of 6’2”, breaking the graduated champion, Robert Weimer’s old record or 5’11”. The track team is made up of 78 boys this year and each year the number increases by almost 15, strengthening the program and the teams’ overall success. The boys continue to prepare for their spring season as well as their most challenging meet against their rival, Franklin Township.

It is no surprise that this season the girls swimming team has dominated in their meets. Recently, after competing against many of the best teams in NJ, the girls took first in the Skyland Conference Championships. They reigned over Hunterdon Central, Bridgewater Raritan and Hillsborough. They also reached an ultimate goal at the meet, which was to beat Mt. St. Mary’s for the first time in the program’s history. The competition at the tournament makes up most of the top 12 teams in the state, making the win even more special. The team is 7-0-1 and has already broken four school records and three pool records so far this season. Miranda Ford placed second in the Skyland Conference meet in the 200 Free race, breaking a school record with a time of 1.55.50. Hannah Matheson also placed first, breaking school and conference record with a time of 56.76 in 100 Fly. Ford and Matheson are accompanied by Megan Lydzinski who broke pool and conference records in the 50 Free race, as well as the school and pool record in 100 Free. The girls’ successful season will be sure to continue in their future county and state competitions.

The boy’s ice hockey team is 12-3. Over the holiday break the boys competed in the BR tournament and after beating Glen Rock, Pope John, and Ridge, the boys took home first. The team went on to demolish Bernards, 8-0, Hunterdon Central, 10-0, and Watchung Hills, 9-1; they unfortunately lost in their second game against Ridge, 0-3. Senior Kevin Wanke has been a large contributor to the team’s success. He leads the team in points and his aggressiveness and leadership help the team reach its goal to have one of the most successful seasons yet. The boys face off against Bridgewater on February 3, to not only fight for a win, but also against breast cancer. The game will be at 8:15 in Bridgewater and a pink-out to support survivors, fighters, and those lost to the disease.

The cheerleading squad is preparing to compete in the UCA National Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida mid-February. The girls were invited to compete in Florida after their performance at the Regional Competition at Hofstra University. After placing sixth in the regions most difficult division, the girls were given a bid to attend Nationals. They have been practicing hard since August to reach their goal of returning to Florida to compete for the national title. Good luck to the MHS cheerleaders!

The young girl’s basketball team, whose starting lineup consists of two seniors, two sophomores and a freshman, continues to fight for victories in the Group 4 Division. With a new coach, the team strives to work hard, improve the structure of program, and develop a family-like attitude. The team’s most experienced player, Bridget O’Donnell, recently committed to play Division I basketball at UMBC next year. “She is able to score in any given situation even though teams with be double teaming her a lot…She is also a defensive threat,” shared Coach Jessica Doyle regarding O’Donnell’s talent. Freshman Zojajha Ayub joins O’Donnell on the offensive front, making major contributions to the team. The 1-11 team is preparing for their biggest rival, Hillsborough, who they play on January 26.

Senior Timothy Maloney excited the crowd by dunking in the boy’s basketball game against Immaculata. In one of the most entertaining and competitive games of their season, Maloney dribbled down the court, reached for the basket, and swung from the hoop before the crowds’ eyes. As Cougar fans cheered, the boys went on to win the game 59-37. Coach Grundy’s team is sparked by an aggressive and tireless defense which simply seems to wear its opponents down. This intensive effort has helped guide the team to an 11-1 record.

Congratulations to all MHS teams that have had successful seasons thus far. Stay tuned next month for season wrap up, as the student athletes continue to compete.
 

Athlete of the Month - David Bergida - Feb 2012

By Ali Stagnitta  Jan 20, 2012

David Bergida, who recently committed to Virginia Tech University, holds the third highest record at MHS for career wins in wrestling. Thus far, Bergida has won 86 matches, only handful away from his personal goal of 100.
Bergida began wrestling for Hillsborough at eight years old. Later, he became a star in Montgomery’s young rec program. Today, Bergida wrestles at 152 pounds, is the team captain, and hopes to be this year’s Region Five champion.

As a junior, Bergida was one of 24 wrestlers in his weight class to qualify to compete in states and aspires to go as far this season. “This season I wish to prove to everyone how good I truly am. My old rec coach told me from day one that I will be successful and I plan on proving myself to everyone this year,” shared Bergida, “The reason I believe I am successful in wrestling is because I do just as much work in the off -season as I do in-season. Off-season, I lift five days a week, wrestle at the club at least two days a week, and in a tournament at least twice a month.”

Although he still gets butterflies before a match, Bergida has an extremely successful record in his 4-year high school career as a varsity wrestler. In his freshman year season, he held a record of 28-9 and was named All-Conference 2nd Team and All-Area 1st Team. Bergida’s sophomore year, he received County and Conference Honorable Mentions and held a record of 17-15. In the 2010-2011 season, Bergida was awarded All-County 1st Team, MVP, All-Conference 2nd Team and All-Area 1st team, as well as a winning record of 30-10. This season, he holds the young team together through his desire to win and his love for the sport.

“I wrestle because it is different than any other sport. Even though there is a team aspect to wrestling, it is mostly individual. When you go out to wrestle the only ones who are there are you and your opponent. You have no one else to rely on but yourself,” said Bergida, on a final note. Next year, he will bring his passion to succeed and love of the sport to Blacksburg, Virgina where he hopes to help the Hokies compete on a national level.