Old Bridge swim teams trying to stay afloat
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Old Bridge High School boys and girls swimming teams are both off to slowstarts, but coachBobWeiss is confident his swimmers can turn things around.

The Knights opened the campaign by winning the co-ed Wardlaw Relays for the third straight year. Since then, however, the boys have gone 0-3 in dual meetings, dropping decisions to South Brunswick, North Brunswick and East Brunswick. The girls are also 0-3 against the same teams, but picked up their first win on Tuesday against Mother Seton.

Despite the start, Weiss believes the boys team can qualify for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV A meet.

"I think the boys are going to start turning things around,"Weiss said. "They have a strong team, and I really expect them to at least reach the .500mark and I think they'll qualify for the state competition."

Captain Jeremy Maurer, a four-year veteran, leads the young boys squad. The hard-working senior competes primarily in freestyle spring events.

Twin brothers Grant and Harris Eberbach provide the Knights with plenty of versatility. Both are seasoned competitors who can handle freestyle, breast and backstroke events. The two are members of the FreeholdArea YMCA team and have competed locally for the Frog Hollow Swim & Tennis Club in South Amboy.

David Cherossky enters his third varsity campaign as a butterfly competitor, and fellow juniors Matt Knoth (back and breaststroke) and Eric Mahler (breaststroke) provide balance and depth. Mahler, a linebacker for the Knights football team, is one of the bigger swimmers in the county. Sophomores Ryan Cauth (500-meter freestyle) and Nick Russo, an up-and-coming member of the team, will also see plenty of action.

Old Bridge's girls team is led by a trio of captains, Jillian Richard,Amanda Kimmish and Catelin Weisser. Richard competes in the individual medley, butterfly and relay events, while Kimmish and Weisser compete in freestyle events.

Like the boys, Old Bridge's girls have a large presence of younger swimmers, including sophomores Kathleen Cogland, Elizabeth O'Neill, Melanie Richard, Kristin Rocco and Dominika Stankiewicz.

"We're very young overall, and both of our teams have very bright futures," the coach said. "We also want to do well now, and I think things will start turning around for us."

Old Bridge continues to swim out of the Woodbridge YMCA, but Weiss noted that the construction of the Old Bridge YMCA should be finished in time for next season. Weiss is assisted by Rocco Celeanto.

The Knights return to action this afternoon against Metuchen at the Woodbridge YMCA. Old Bridge is set to visit BishopAhr onWednesday and Piscataway on Jan. 17. Weiss and his team will host Raritan the following day.