WHALE OF AN EFFORT: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Maddie Whaley displays her freestyle form in recent action. Senior star Whaley played a major role as PHS went 9-0-1 in its last 10 meets to finish the regular season at 9-2-1. This week, the Little Tigers will be going for a fifth straight team title as they compete at the Mercer County Championships from January 26-28 at WW/P-N. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

As the Princeton High girls’ swimming team goes for a fifth straight team title at Mercer County Championships this week, it faces an uphill battle.

“South (WW/P-S) and Notre Dame are definitely going to be tough so I think we have just got to get in and swim our race and not worry about what happens,” said PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz, referring to the county meet which takes place from January 26-28 at WW/P-N.

A lot of good things have happened for PHS this winter as it has gone 9-0-1 in its last 10 meets after falling to WW/P-S and Notre Dame in the first week of the season.

Misiewicz credits senior star Melinda Tang with setting a positive tone this winter.

“Melinda is phenomenal; she is somebody I don’t even have to ask what do you want to swim because I know she will swim anything and do well with anything,” said Misiewicz. “She has come out of her shell and really come into her own as a leader.”

Another senior standout, Maddie Whaley, has provided leadership and production for the Little Tigers.

“Maddie is having another really good year, she is another really versatile swimmer,” said Misiewicz.

“I want to say that she has swum every event for us except maybe the 100 butterfly but I am sure she has probably done that sometime too. She is another swimmer who will do anything for the team.”

Misiewicz points to a third senior, Maddie Schwimmer, as exuding a special work ethic.

“Maddie Schwimmer is another senior who is really standing out, she is working so hard every single day in the pool and it is showing,” said Misiewicz.

“Sometimes, here or there, she says that isn’t really as fast as I wanted and I say think about what practice we did yesterday, you are sore and tired. The point of regular season is to swim through being tired so when the counties come you are putting the same effort in but you are not tired so therefore you are going to drop more time.”

The Davis sisters, freshman Cammie and junior Samantha, have also come through with some big efforts for the Little Tigers this winter.

“Cammie Davis is a standout freshmen this year,” said Misiewicz. “Sam Davis has also been doing a lot for us this year; she took the year off last season and just did club swimming. She has really done a lot for us in the breaststroke and the individual medley this year so we are really happy to have her back. I am really excited to see what she can do and how she can contribute at the counties.”

Since the county meet involves a preliminary round before the finals and swimmers can end up in fewer events than in a dual meet, Misiewicz notes that regular season form doesn’t always hold in the competition.

“It is a whole new ballgame and anything can happen on that day,” said Misiewicz.

“We are going to focus on what is going to happen on that day and not what has happened in the past. There are different options and areas that you have to weigh. You just have to see how it unfolds. I am really excited and looking forward to the counties.”