FLYING HIGH: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Cami Davis shows her butterfly form in a meet earlier this season. Last week, Davis won the 50 freestyle and took second in the 100 butterfly to help PHS defeat Lawrence 97-73 and improve to 10-2. In upcoming action, the Tigers will be competing in the Mercer County Championships from January 30-February 1 at WW/P-North. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton High girls’ swimming team, its meet at Lawrence High last week was a good test as it girds for the Mercer County Championships.

“We had very similar records going into it; they were 8-2 and we were 9-2,” said PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz reflecting on the January 21 meet.

“I knew they had a really strong team this year; they have a really good group of freshman girls. I knew it was going to be a challenge.”

PHS proved to be up to the challenge, posting a 97-73 win over the Cardinals.

“It was nice to come out on top,” said Misiewicz. “We always had a cushion. Maybe they would take first in an event and we are going two-three-four.”

Senior star and team captain Cami Davis set a nice tone for the Tigers, helping PHS win the 200 medley relay to start the meet and then going on to win the 50 free and take second in the 100 butterfly.

“Cami is all over the deck. She is swimming, she is doing everything possible,” said Misiewicz.“She is cheering, she is timing. She is helping out in anyway she can.”

The Tigers are getting a lot of help from a corps of young swimmers. “Beatrice Cai and Annie Zhao are both freshman and Lara Liu is a sophomore transfer,” said Misiewicz, who got wins from Cai in the 100 fly and from Tracey Liu in the 100 backstroke against Lawrence.

“Beatrice is another very versatile swimmer. She can do the like 200 free, 200 individual medley, 100 fly, 100 free, 500 free and backstroke. Abby Walden is a sophomore; it is nice to see her grow. She is not this young little freshman any more, she is coming into her own.”

With the Mercer County Championships taking place this week at WW/P-North from January 30-February 1, Misiewicz is hoping that her squad keeps growing.

“I think the girls have a really good shot; they are doing a lot of really good things,” said Misiewicz. “I am hoping to see people make a lot of finals.”