Raiders Swimmers Earn High Ranks in State Meet

Scotch Plains-Fanwood swimming coach Jess Hulnik wasn't quite sure what to expect from her teams as they prepared for the 31st annual Pirate Invitational in Princeton Junction. It's the time of year when teams are plugging along, swimming a lot and not getting much rest.

But the Raiders proved that they're more than just fast, they're also very durable.  The Scotch Plains-Fanwood boys finished second Saturday with 214 points to Christian Brothers Academy's 275. Perennial powerhouse St. Joseph of Metuchen was third.

Hulnik said it was the best finish the team has ever had at the event so deep in talent. The girls were third Sunday with 159 1/2 points. West Windsor-Plainsboro South won it and Pennsbury (Pa.) finished second.

"I'm really glad with the way we held up," said Hulnik, who's in her 15th year. 
"This time of year is tough. People are breaking down, they are swimming a lot and to do so well in a prelim finals meet with so little rest ... I'm very pleased."

The Raider boys took first in two events. The boys medley team of junior Dan 
Napolitano, sophomore Greg Baliko, junior Mike Napolitano and sophomore Joe Dunn went 1:43.27. It was the first-ever relay victory by the Raiders at the Pirate. The team has gone as fast of 1:39.

"But for this time of year, that time is pretty decent," Hulnik said.

Dan Napolitano won the 200 free in 1:47.80 — his  first triumph in a major 
invitational. Hulnik said that Napolitano has gone as fast as 1:43, but again, the idea is to swim faster later in the season.

Baliko was second in the 200 IM in 1:41 and third in the breast at 1:03.15. Mike 
Napolitano was third in the butterfly (54.59) and 500 (5:05.87). The 400 relay team of Dan Napolitano, freshman Ryan Gajdzicz, Mike Napolitano and Greg Baliko went 3:24.76.

"We want to keep working hard with the counties and states ahead," Hulnik said. 

Senior Kelsey Rossi led the girls by placing second in the 100 free (55.06) and  breast stroke (1:07.93).

"They were close, but not quite her best (times)," Hulnik said.

Senior Stephanie Baliko was fourth in the breast at 1:11.53. Senior Becca Dunn was fifth in the 100 fly at 1:03.95. The 400 freestyle relay of junior Hanna Markey, freshman Caroline Lesce, senior Kelly Gajdzicz and freshman Judy Thompson went 3:54.63 and the  200 freestyle team of junior Hanna Markey, Dunn, Baliko and Rossi turned in a 1:45.80.