Hannah Ash has experienced a breakthrough in her final campaign with the Princeton High girls’ swimming team.

After being a member of the supporting cast for PHS over the last three seasons, senior Ash has emerged as a star this winter.

Coming into last Thursday’s showdown with Lawrence, Ash had posted six individual wins and had taken part in six relay victories in the last five meets for PHS.

In reflecting on her recent success in the water, Ash attributed her progress to some work on the water as a rower for Mercer Rowing Club.

“It has been really exciting getting to drop times this year since the past couple of years I have been in a lull,” said Ash.

“I think it is because of the cross training with crew, that’s definitely showing.”

There was plenty of excitement in the air at the John Witherspoon School pool on Thursday as both PHS and Lawrence brought 10-0 records into the contest. Ash had a big day as the Little Tigers rolled to a 120-50 victory, placing second in the 100 freestyle and helping the 200 free relay to victory.

“It was really impressive seeing everyone definitely swimming their hardest,” said Ash, reflecting on the win. “The atmosphere in here was so amazing.”

There was a special atmosphere on the deck as PHS held its annual Senior Day ceremony.

“It is kind of bittersweet,” said Ash. “It is really exciting that it is finally us up there but it is definitely sad knowing that we are going to leave these people.”

The PHS squad has definitely come together this winter. “I think we bond as a team really well; everyone is so supportive of
each other,” said Ash.

“That definitely helps when you are in the pool and you hear everyone cheering for you. That is a really good feeling.”

Ash and her fellow seniors support each other on a daily basis. “Since there are so many of us is it is really good being able to feed off of each other,” said Ash.

“We get the vibes from each other and get each other’s opinions on what we think is going to make the team better. Since none of us are club swimmers we are at practice everyday so it is definitely good being around each other.”

PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz believes Ash is making PHS better in a number of ways.“Hannah Ash is definitely stepping up this year as far as times,” said Misiewicz. “She is also making sure that the freshmen are really involved in what is going on as a whole team.”

In Misiewicz’s view, the whole senior class has been making a positive impact.

“They are great,” asserted Misiewicz, whose other senior swimmers include Jessica Bai, Rhea Bhatt, Lopa Krishnan, Lindsey Lim, Charlotte Singer, and Stephanie Tam.

“They are here everyday because none of our seniors are club swimmers. It is nice that the high school kids see them on a daily basis. They see them here, training so hard, practicing day in, day out.”

The team’s hard work certainly paid off against Lawrence. “I can’t be any happier for the swimmers, they are swimming out of their minds,” said Misiewicz, whose team improved to 12-0 with a 124-45 win over Ewing last Thursday.

“We knew going into the season that our girls are definitely good; this is their year in our opinion.”

In the win over Lawrence, the Little Tigers’ quartet of stars, sophomore Melinda Tang, freshman Abbey Berloco, and juniors Brianna Romaine and Maddie Deardorff, showed they are very good as they each won two races. Tang placed first in the 200 and 500 freestyle races, Berloco won the 50 free and 100 butterfly, Romaine was victorious in the 100 free and 100 backstroke while Deardorff prevailed in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke.

“When Abbey, Maddie, Bri, and Melinda get into the pool, they get in to race,” said Misiewicz. “It doesn’t matter if they are a body length ahead or a fingertip ahead.”

The rest of the squad has adopted that competitive approach. “All of other girls are getting the hang of it, reaching for that second or third, out-touching the person next to them,” said Misiewicz.

“That is what I have been stressing, outrace the person next to you. Be aware of the whole entire pool, you may in lane seven but something is happening in lane two.”

With PHS going after its third straight Mercer County Swimming Championships team title this week as the competition is slated for January 29-31, Misiewicz is confident that her team will keep racing as hard as it can.

“They are having fun with every single meet,” said Misiewicz. “They are getting excited for counties and seeing how far we can make it in states after counties.”

Ash, for her part, is excited for her final county meet. “I think we have a pretty good chance; I am pretty enthusiastic about it,” said Ash.

“I think we have really good depth in our team. That is definitely important at counties since it is more individual than team-wise. I think it is looking good.”