By Bill Alden

Trailing Lawrence High 63-47 with four events left in a meet last Thursday, the Princeton High boys’ swimming team could have given up.

But by winning the 200 freestyle relay and then getting a victory from Jeshurun Reyen in the 100 breaststroke, PHS had a chance to win the meet if it placed one-two in the 400 free relay, the final event of the day.

While the Little Tigers ended up taking second in the relay to fall 92-78 to the visiting Cardinals at the John Witherspoon pool, PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz was proud that her swimmers kept fighting to the end.

“We are down by 16, it is what it is,” said Misiewicz. “All of that just shows how we are not going to give up ever. That is awesome and really, really good to have on the team.”

Although the loss was the second straight for PHS as it had fallen 101-69 to Notre Dame on January 15, Misiewicz believes her swimmers can build on their effort with postseason competition on the horizon.

“I think it was a tough week, but it really showed our true potential,” said Misiewicz.

“I was talking to their boys’ coach afterwards and we were saying neither one of us was ever out of it. The boys are sitting in a really good spot right now.”

Against Lawrence, PHS was shorthanded as it had some guys out  and others swimming reduced workloads.

“Will Murray didn’t swim and John Liang has been sick so he came a little later today,” said Misiewicz, who got another win from Reyen in the 50 free at the meet as the Little Tigers moved to 8-3.

“Eric Liu has been in and out so we had key people out who would make a difference, so fingers crossed that they get better healthwise.”

Looking ahead to the county meet, which takes place from January 24-26 at WW/P-North, Misiewicz believes that PHS can  be in the mix for a top finish.

“Personally, I don’t feel like anyone is a for sure favorite in the counties right now,” maintained Misiewicz.

“Counties always surprises everybody. It is totally different than a dual meet; you get one relay and you have four individual swimmers per event so anything can happen.”

In the view of Misiewicz, the fighting spirit her team displayed against Lawrence is a sign that it can do some good things at the county meet.

“It is about who wants it more and that is really what it comes down to at the end of the day,” said Misiewicz. “I feel like we do have that attitude and a sense of urgency that we are not giving up.”