TAKING OFF: Princeton High boys’ swimmer Take Numata churns through the water last week as PHS hosted Lawrence. Senior Numata took third in the 50 freestyle and helped the 400 free relay to a win as the Little Tigers prevailed 95-75 in the January 20 contest. PHS, who improved to 10-2 with 123-44 win over Ewing last Thursday, are next in action when it competes at the Mercer County Swimming Championships from January 29-31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Take Numata was fired up to see the Princeton High boys’ swimming team come through with a win against Lawrence last week.

“Today was a power pointing day so it was important that we swam fast to see how we would stack up later on,” said senior Numata, who took third in the 50 freestyle and helped the 400 free relay to a win as the Little Tigers prevailed 95-75 in the January 20 contest.

“These meets are always the best kind of meet because they are the ones that get the most cheers and excitement.”

The meet did get exciting as Lawrence pulled to within 57-53 after taking first and third in the 500 free. PHS, though, took control from that point, prevailing in the 200 free relay and getting wins from sophomore Will Kinney in the 100 backstroke and freshman Oliver Hunsbedt in the 100 breaststroke.

In Numata’s view, it was important for PHS to pull out the close meet.

“It is always good to have that because the more you have, the better off you will be in the future,” said Numata.

Numata has been getting better and better as his senior season has unfolded. “I swam year round this year so that made for an improvement,” said Numata, who joined the X-Cel club program.

While Numata has put in extra time working on his strokes, his success as a sprinter comes down to keeping a clear head in the water.

“I got pretty close to my personal bests today,” said Numata. “When it  comes to sprinting events and tough meets, there is really not much thought.”

It was an eventful day for Numata and his classmates as the program held its annual Senior Day celebration after the meet.

“I am going to miss this pool, it is a nice place,” said Numata, whose fellow seniors include Odin Adams-Tuck, David Lawrence, Warren Saengtawesin, and Matt Shanahan. “Hopefully it won’t be my last home meet.”

PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz saw the win over Lawrence as a nice step forward for the boys’ squad.

“We have had our ups and downs, we have had some tough meets,” said Misiewicz.

“This is our last meet where everybody will be together before the counties. It was a great atmosphere, being Senior Day. The seniors were getting in and swimming their events and everyone was behind them.”

In Misiewicz’s view, it was great for PHS to pass the test posed by a tough Lawrence squad.

“It was a really close meet at one point, I was getting a little worried there,” said Misiewicz.

“The 500 really hurt us there and then a lot of the sophomores and juniors were coming up ‘hey where are we at, what do we need to do.’ I had no problem telling them because I know they will go up to everybody and say we are down by four, we really have to get up and go. That 200 relay was clutch, from that point on it was good. We had one-two in backstroke and one-two on breaststroke.”

With PHS going after a fifth straight team title this week as it competes in the Mercer County Swimming Championships from January 29-31, Misiewicz is getting her swimmers to fine-tune things.

“We have been working a lot on the technique and the little details, especially for our sprinters,” said Misiewicz.

“They are getting pumped up, they are getting excited. It is just consistent improvement across the board, there is nothing more you really can ask.”

Whether or not PHS wins another county crown this week, Numata is going to enjoy competing with his teammates.

“When you leave a team, it is not about the races or your own personal times,” said Numata.

“The thing I am going to end missing most of all is the people. Inside and  outside of the pool, you have activities with them. I would say that they are more important than the races.”