Bear teams entering GMC meet swimming very well

BY RICHARD JEROME
Staff Writer

The East Brunswick High School swimming program can boast an excellent season, with both the boys and girls recording a 7-3 mark thus far.

"Things are going really well," said coach Charlie Ginex, who leads the Bears into the Greater Middlesex Conference tournament this weekend.

"The boys have traditionally done well and have gotten most of the press," he added. "The girls had been in their shadow, but they’ve come out this year."

On the boys’ side, junior Ryan Martinetti qualified for the state Meet of Champions in the 200-meter freestyle, and also excels in the 100-meter butterfly, and the 50 freestyle.

Other key juniors include sprinter Steve Schreyer, Tom Nawrot, the top backstroker and freestyle sprinter, distance swimmer Brian O’Sullivan and captain Mike Bykowski.

"Mike was injured last year, but he keeps fighting and has really turned it on," said Ginex. "He’s dropped six seconds in the 100 freestyle. He also shows great leadership and really pushes and supports the other kids."

The girls, meanwhile have logged their best record in three years, and went to the states for the first time in four. Moreover, two of their three losses came to teams that were highly ranked statewide.

Junior captain Lauren Scheiner, who competes in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley (IM), has battled back from injuries.

"If everyone worked as hard as she, I’d be happy," said Ginex, assisted by former head coach Bill Pellagrino. "She’s a great leader."

Another captain, senior Kelly Sheridan, keeps getting better in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and senior Chrissy Leblon is the defending county champ in the 50 free, holding the meet record.

The rest of the frontliners are freshmen: Tracy Lindbowe; Mia Sorkin, a butterfly and freestyler; Katie Zavoda, who swims the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM; and Tiffany Carson, a 50 and 100 freestyler.