MAKING A SPLASH: Princeton High boys’ swimmer Daniel Baytin displays his freestyle form in a meet earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior standout Baytin won the 50-yard freestyle, took second in the 100 free and helped both the 200 medley relay and 400 free relays to victories as top-seeded PHS defeated second-seeded WW/P-North 105-65 in the Central Jersey Group B sectional final. The Tigers, who improved to 13-0 with the win, were slated to face Tenafly in the state Group B semis on February 22 with the victor advancing to the state final on February 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Daniel Baytin was calm as he stood in the blocks waiting to swim the anchor leg in the 400-yard freestyle relay for the Princeton High boys’ swim team to put the finishing touch on its win over WW/P-North in the Central Jersey Group B sectional final last Thursday.

“Normally I am really nervous because on the anchor it is all down to me but in this case I am really thankful that my teammates won it for me,” said PHS junior star Baytin. “I wasn’t that nervous.”

A relaxed Baytin cruised through his leg, touching the wall first as PHS won the relay to pile up the final points in 105-65 win over the Northern Knights at the Neptune Aquatic Center. Baytin helped his teammates as well, winning the 50 freestyle, taking second in the 100 free and helping the 200 medley relay win in addition to the 400 free relay.

“Both teams did an amazing job today,” said Baytin. “I am thankful that I was able to compete at this level.”

It was an amazing feeling for PHS to turn the tables on North as the Northern Knights had defeated the Tigers in the 2020 sectional final.

“This is an exact repeat of what we had freshman year, it was also the final and we got knocked out by North at this pool,” noted Baytin, reflecting on the program’s first sectional crown since 2014 as PHS improved to 13-0 and was slated to face Tenafly in the state Group B semis on February 22 with the victor advancing to the state final on February 26.

“As a whole team, we definitely feel really rewarded by the fact that we beat North in the same spot, in the same position that we were two years ago.”

Baytin helped set the tone for PHS, producing a blazing breaststroke leg in the 200 medley relay to start the meet with a bang as the Tigers went one-two in the event.

“I try my best every race but it became very apparent just how much ground we gained when I finished,” said Baytin. “During the race you really can’t tell how much you have won.”

Three events later, Baytin took first in the 50 free in a time of  22.02, edging North’s Jon Hu by 0.35.

“That was a great race, North was really strong in that race,” said Baytin. “I have to give them respect, they did an amazing job in that 50 free.”

Over the years, Baytin has earned the respect of his teammates, becoming a leader as well as a star.

“I have definitely improved not only just in the pool but  with my team,” said Baytin. “These people are looking up to me. I am one of the old guys now, I have to set an example. I have been working my hardest for them.”

Baytin believes that the guys coming together has been a key to the squad’s success this winter.

“I feel like we have not only improved as a team from when I was a freshman but our communication, our team building as a whole has improved,” said Baytin. “Since most of us are on the same club team, X-Cel, we all have a connection outside of the pool. It also helps that we see each other in school a lot. We see each other a lot on a daily basis, we get to really know each other. We get classes together, we talk to each other a lot. That is really cool and is a big perk of having a high school team.”

PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz has developed a deep connection with this year’s team.

“This group of guys is a really special group, they are unique for sure in their own way,” said Misiewicz. “I love them all. They make every day exciting, they make every meet exciting. You have to try to rein the guys in. They get their jokes and laughs out on the bus and then when they get here, it is business.”

The Tigers were ready to take care of business last Thursday in the rematch with North, who they had defeated 94-76 in a regular season meet on December 14.

“The message I told them on the bus was brand new day, brand new meet, forget about everything that happened before and just go for it,” said Misiewicz.

“We knew they were going to bring it, they are very good competition. We raced them this year and at the county meet. We bring out the best in each other as far as competitiveness. They are always a really, really strong team as well.”

Going one-two in the medley relay got PHS off to a strong start in the sectional final.

“That 1-2 in the medley relay is always a huge,” said Misiewicz. “It is a great way to start a meet, it sets the tone. That was goal, set the tone from the beginning, secure the lead, and just build and go from there.”

Misiewicz credited Baytin with helping to spark the early surge.

“Dan was great on both relays and the 50 free; I think he tried a different strategy on the 100 but at the end of the day, Dan is going to do his job,’ said Misiewicz. “He truly is a team player and whatever the team needs, he says put me in. I will do this, I will do that.”

Freshman David Xu did a great job for the Tigers against the Northern Knights, winning both the 200 individual medley and the 500 free.

“He is another one, he won the 200 IM at the counties and he helped set the tone today with pretty close to a best time in the 200 IM and not far off in the 500 free,” said Misiewicz. “He is another great competitor to have in the relays as well. He really does nothing but strengthen them.”

PHS got a one-two-three finish in the 100 backstroke as Zach Guan took first followed by Alvin Tien and Arthur Solopenkov to clinch the victory.

“That was nice little icing on the cake,” said Misiewicz. “It was nice to secure the win at that point and just know let’s just have fun with the rest of the meet.”

In reflecting on the team’s run to the sectional crown, Misiewicz has urged her swimmers to have fun every step of the way.

“Last year we didn’t really get the state tournament,” said Misiewicz. “So ever since the beginning of the year, my message to them has been cherish every race, cherish every swim because you don’t know when you are not going to have that opportunity.”

Baytin, for his part, is looking forward to the opportunity to go for a state title this week, starting with the Group B semifinal matchup against Tenafly.

“I am a bit nervous because everybody next week is going to be on the same level or higher level than we are,” said Baytin. “We have to keep on working as hard as we can. It will be really interesting to see what happens next week.”