Last year’s swim season ended hot for Oratory as the team sported a 6-2 record, with its only losses coming against top-ranked Westfield, and number 20 Summit. They then went on to finish 4th at counties, and 5th at preps. Every year the team gets better and better, more depth is added, and losses via graduation are made up for. This year especially, we have a good group and are finding our rhythm rather easily.
Oratory made quick work of the first two meets of the year, soundly defeating both Union and Elizabeth. While these meets weren’t particularly close, they were vastly important. For the freshman, these meets were a proving ground, and they certainly exceeded expectations. Two freshmen, Jonathan Peterson and Sebastian Sternberg have already displayed that they can be relied upon to swim in the A lane. Peterson is a sprinter, specializing in the 50 and 100 free. He went undefeated in the first two meets, with his streak ending at number 2 in the state Westfield. Sternberg has proved himself to be a valuable asset in backstroke, and relays. He placed 2nd against Elizabeth as well as Union.
However, both swimmers are found to be most useful in relays. Relays score the most points throughout the meet and can make or break a team’s meet. Peterson has consistently found himself in the A relay, joining myself, Paul Knecht, and Henry Crowther. This relay is best at the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay. It consistently finds itself close to a Meet of Champions Cut, and while likely earn one at the Prep Championships or County Championships. The medley relay is led off with Knecht swimming backstroke, followed by myself in the breaststroke, Crowther in the fly, and Peterson anchoring with freestyle.
Besides Peterson and Sternberg, Will Kulikowski has been making himself known, consistently earning points in the 200 IM, a dreaded event that few want to swim. Kulikowski is known to attend the brutal 6 am practices quite often and has a strong work ethic.
Sitting at 2-1, the team has a large 2 weeks coming up. It all starts with Summit on Tuesday, a team that beat us last year, but is beatable this year. Knocking off the number 20 team in the state would be a huge accomplishment for the team. Following Summit is another local meet in New Providence. After a heartbreaking loss two years ago, we defeated New Providence with relative ease last year, the meet scoring 100-70. This is a beatable team, and will hopefully be another addition to the win category. Following New Providence is Governor Livingston. Gov. Livingston was arguably the meet of the year last year. After getting blown out two years ago, the fellas rallied last year and won the meet 90-80. It was likely the team’s biggest win of the year, and they are looking forward to repeating the event. After GL is Cranford, a team that was taken care of last year, and will likely be handled again this year. Come that Sunday is the County championships, where everyone will be sporting tech suits, and swimming their best events. This will be one of two championship meets. Then, our final regular season meet has the Rams traveling to Scotch Plains Fanwood. They have been a solid team for years, however, this year we will beat them. Last year the much-anticipated meet was canceled due to a snowstorm, this year it will be the meet of the year. I expect a close meet, with Oratory coming out on top. It will be one for the ages. Into February comes the state tournament, and Prep Championships. Expect a lot to come out of the team this year.