South Brunswick Swimmers Go Extra Mile for a Good Cause

While the members of the South Brunswick High School swimming teams all have their specialties in the water, it turns out they all have the versatility -- and heart -- to cover a great distance.

Heck, even Coach John Harding is good for a mile.

On Jan. 13, 36 members of the South Brunswick swimming teams -- and two of its coaches -- each swam a mile (66 laps of the pool) to raise money for charity.

"We're still in the process of collecting the pledges, so we don't know exactly how much we raised," Coach Harding noted. "It was a good event. It went well."

The event was put together by Tessa Trach, one of the members of the girls team. The money raised will go to Good Grief. According to that organization's web site, Good Grief is a resource for grieving children and their families.

Because it was for such a good cause, Harding and his assistant, Rebecca Nyquist, got in the pool and knocked off all 66 laps.

According to Harding, he hadn't been swimming as much the past year because of the birth of his child.

"I was a little sore and the time wasn't the same as what I did when I was younger (laughs), but I think I surprised some of the kids by how easily I could do the mile. It's like riding a bike . . . it comes back to you."

South Brunswick was most recently in action on Jan. 19 as both teams earned a win over Old Bridge. The boys won 105-64 and are now 7-1 on the season. The girls won 102-68 and are now 5-2.

"The kids are working hard and should be in great shape for the big meets to come," Harding said.

Before the big meets -- the Greater Middlesex Conference and the states -- South Brunswick will have a very busy week. It will swim against Manalapan on Monday, Montgomery on Jan. 26 and Freehold on Jan. 27.

"That should help get us ready for the GMC," Harding noted.

The GMC will take place on Feb. 4 at Rutgers University.

"The kids are looking good," Harding said. "Hopefully, we'll be peaking in two weeks. I think we have a lot of kids that have a chance to medal."

On the boys side, Harding believes "Tyler Blackburn, Lincoln Harris and Jeff Chan will all be in the mix."

Harding has also been impressed by the swimming ability of freshman Harrison Kudwitt.

On the girls side, Cindy Shi and Emily Charniga have already proven they can excel in big meets.

Harding also believes Samantha Chan, just a freshman, is also ready to step up and have a great GMC.

"Samantha has been looking spectacular," Harding said.

Actually, when you look at the records and their willingness to help those around them, all of the members of both South Brunswick's teams look "spectacular."