 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction)
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In recent seasons, the primary concern for the Hun School swimming program has been getting the most out of each individual swimmer.
With a lineup that typically lacked depth, Hun didn't win too many meets even as it produced some outstanding individual performances from the likes of the now-graduated Nick Vacca and senior star Andrew Philhower.
But with an infusion of new talent now on board, the Raiders have emerged as a team to reckon with this winter, posting a 6-2 record in dual meets this season.
Hun head coach Madeline Jones has enjoyed seeing her program reach a higher level.
"I think in the past, we have focused on helping the individual swimmers with technique, strokes and turns," said Jones, whose team will look to continue its progress as it competes in the Mercer County Swimming Championships from February 2-4 at Lawrence High.
"We had such a wide range of of talent, from kids like Andrew to kids who want to give the sport a try and have to learn how to do starts and turns. I have been telling people that we could beat teams like Ranney, Rutgers Prep, and George School; we were just one relay or one event away from winning those meets."
A key factor in the program's rise has been the development of Hun's water polo team, which is currently competing on a club basis.
"We have four new boys who have really added to the team; they have given us the ability to use the other swimmers for depth," said Jones referring to Brian Stoddard, John Mulvey, Arda Bozyigit, and former Princeton High standout Connor Bowman.
"They all came from the water polo team. My assistant coach, Mark Kolman, is the coach of the water polo team. He really got the guys into shape and he recruited them for swimming. They also worked together as a team on water polo and I think that has helped the spirit of the swimming team."
Although Bowman was a known quantity, having starred for PHS last season as a freshman and having picked up many wins over the years in local club meets, Jones didn't know what to expect from the three other newcomers.
"John Mulvey was on the basketball team and we didn't know what he could do in the pool," added Jones, whose team practices at the Mercer County Community College pool. "Brian is in 10th grade and he did swim for the Bedens Brook Country Club in the summers. Arda was on the water polo team and had previously competed in his home country.
While the quartet of newcomers has enhanced the team's competitive prospects, Jones is still relying on veterans Philhower and Ryan Kelly to pile up points.
"We count on Andrew to give us a lot of wins," said Jones of her senior standout, who excels at the individual medley and butterfly events. "Ryan Kelly has been with us for two or three years. He's a good sprinter in the freestyle events for us."
The team, which competes in co-ed meet formats, has also seen improvement on the girls' side. "I think our girls don't get enough credit," asserted Jones. "Alyssa Collins has been consistent. Emily Scott is a freshman and she doesn't stand out with the boys. She has great potential and will be really good as a senior. Laura Coyle is in 10th grade and she's also quick."
Although Hun doesn't figure to make a major impact in the team standings at the county meet or at the Prep meet on February 7-8 Jones is looking for her swimmers to build on what they've already accomplished this season.
"Going into the counties and states, we're trying to get them to focus on getting their best times," said Jones, who does expect Philhower and Bowman to figure in the individual standings.
"In dual meets, they always want to beat the swimmer in the next lane. That is fine but in big meets, the focus is on time. I was filling out the applications for the county and state meets and it was interesting to see how much the times have already improved."
Based on the progress it has made this winter, the Hun swim program should be interesting to follow for years to come.
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