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Shore Conference swimming 2024 outlook. Team rankings, 20 All-Shore Watch swimmers

Jake Matson, Asbury Park Press
·9 min read

This winter's swimming season got underway last week as several Shore teams have been looking to kickstart their campaigns and build on last year's success. Despite Holmdel boys and CBA both making an appearance in the state finals, no Shore girls or boys team was able to take home an NJSIAA title. But with plenty of talent returning, there is optimism that the strength at the top of the Shore will shine during the postseason.

Below is a ranking of the top 10 boys and girls teams coming into the season. There is a multitude of different team makeups as some programs are top-heavy with elite swimmers and other teams are built around depth and consistency, making them formidable foes in the dual meet format. There are also 10 boys and 10 girls that comprise the preseason All-Shore Watch List, although there are plenty of underclassmen who may emerge as breakthrough stars by season's end.

More: Preseason All-Shore hockey team, Top 10 teams, 17 Players to Watch

BOYS PRESEASON TOP 10

CBA Luke Condon won in the Boys 100 Yard Freehstyle. 2022 Shore Conference Boys Swimming Championship at Neptune, NJ on January 31, 2022.
CBA Luke Condon won in the Boys 100 Yard Freehstyle. 2022 Shore Conference Boys Swimming Championship at Neptune, NJ on January 31, 2022.

1. Christian Brothers

The results of last year's Shore Conference meet speak for themselves: CBA took home the top spot with an astonishing 391.5 points, more than 100 more than second-place finisher Holmdel. The Colts surged past the competition to secure the two-seed in the Non-Public A tournament, but ultimately could not get past undefeated St. Augustine in the final. CBA endured some key losses from that group, including last year's APP Swimmer of the Year Luke Condon, but still retains an elite pipeline of talent led by star senior Max Maycher. Their 132-37 season-opening victory over Howell shows this team is picking up right where it left off.

Holmdel Hunter Kuenzel wins the Boys 500 Freestyle event. 2022 Shore Conference Boys Swimming Championship at Neptune, NJ on January 31, 2022.
Holmdel Hunter Kuenzel wins the Boys 500 Freestyle event. 2022 Shore Conference Boys Swimming Championship at Neptune, NJ on January 31, 2022.

2. Holmdel

Holmdel, like CBA, was a tier above the rest of the field last year. The Hornets were undefeated until they ran into Haddonfield in the Group C state final, falling 93-77. That heartbreaking ending should serve as motivation for this year's group, which returns star senior Hunter Kuenzel and up-and-coming sophomore Christopher Hall.

Marlboro's Aaron W. Lee swims the Individual Medley during the Manalapan vs. Marlboro boys and girls swim meet the Freehold Western Monmouth YMCA in Freehold Twp., NJ Monday, January 23, 2023.
Marlboro's Aaron W. Lee swims the Individual Medley during the Manalapan vs. Marlboro boys and girls swim meet the Freehold Western Monmouth YMCA in Freehold Twp., NJ Monday, January 23, 2023.

3. Marlboro

Marlboro is elevated by two returning All-Shore selections in senior Noam Berkovsky and sophomore Matteo Fabbricatore, who helped propel this team to a third-place finish at the Shore Conference meet last season. The Mustangs finished last season 9-3 (with losses to Holmdel and CBA) as they fell 94-76 to eventual section champ Hillsborough. Marlboro will look to make a deeper postseason run this winter.

4. Southern Regional

There is a multitude of teams which could reasonably make their case for the number four spot, but the reigning A-South champion returns the majority of last year's impressive squad. One example is last year's freestyle relay team of Jacob Werner, Silas Committee, Jack Delaney and Sean Kahl that finished in the top 10 at the Shore meet. The entirety of that group and the ninth-place medley relay team is back this season, meaning the Rams should once again be a contender.

5. Central Regional

The Golden Eagles have immense potential coming into the season. They return standout All-Shore performer Joseph Busic after finishing fourth as a team at the Shore Conference meet, but Central narrowly fell 88-82 to Southern in the key head-to-head matchup last year. The Eagles will have to be more consistent to avoid those narrow defeats, but have the most upside of any team outside of the top three.

6. Rumson-Fair Haven

Rumson finished last season 10-2 with their two losses coming against Holmdel and eventual state champion Haddonfield. Still, the Bulldogs have to contend with some key losses from that team while competing with the powerhouse Hornets in A-Central. The program has shown impressive consistency over the years, but key swimmers will need to step up for this team to remain competitive.

7. St. Rose

Last year's Purple Roses were a well-rounded team with a nice blend of consistency and depth in addition to a few high-end performers. That versatility propelled them to a 10-3 record and sixth place finish at the Shore meet, before their season came to an end against eventual Non-Public B champion Newark Academy. St. Rose should once again be a contender in that postseason section, but they'll need to overcome Colts Neck to win the division after losing 90-80 in the head-to-head matchup last year.

8. Colts Neck

Colts Neck demonstrated remarkable consistency last year as they were buzzsaw that went on a undefeated run during the regular season and won the B-Central title. But in the postseason, they lost 109-60 to West Windsor-Plainsboro North in the semifinals of the section playoffs. Despite the Cougars' impressive depth and consistency in dual meets, they finished 12th at the Shore meet as they didn't have many top-level finishers. They lose a few key swimmers, but return impressive senior Liam Barr.

9. Toms River South

Toms River South is a dark horse candidate to win a very competitive A-South division with Southern and Central. The team finished ninth at the Shore Conference meet, buoyed by an elite showing by Noah Thompson. The senior is back to lead this team, which also added former CBA standout Bryce Wilkens. Winning the division requires depth and consistency, but this team certainly has the top-level talent to compete with anyone.

10. Manasquan

Manasquan finished last season with a solid 9-4 record as the Warriors were built around depth and consistency. Their losses came to Donovan Catholic, St. Rose and Holmdel during the regular season and the team notched a postseason win over Steinert before falling to Northern Burlington 96-74. 'Squan seemed to gain momentum towards the end of last season, and if that can be carried into this season then the Warriors will compete for the B-South divisional title.

GIRLS PRESEASON TOP 10

The 42nd annual Shore Conference Girls Swimming Championships takes place at Neptune Aquatic Center. 200 Yard Freestyle. Trinity Hall’s McLane Gmelich takes second place. Neptune, NJTuesday, February 2, 2022
The 42nd annual Shore Conference Girls Swimming Championships takes place at Neptune Aquatic Center. 200 Yard Freestyle. Trinity Hall’s McLane Gmelich takes second place. Neptune, NJTuesday, February 2, 2022

1. Trinity Hall

The top of the field was crowded with legitimate contenders last year, but Trinity Hall comfortably took home first place at the Shore Conference meet and cruised to an 8-2 record. One of those losses came against the top public team in the state and the other was a postseason loss to eventual state champion Immaculate Heart. The Monarchs return elite performers Maxine Camillone and Jillian Basile as they are sure to compete for the title again this season.

2. Manasquan

Manasquan secures the second spot after pulling off the incredible upset of Red Bank Regional in last season's section tournament. Led by senior Dylann Eldridge, the Warriors are a deep and talented group that is once again capable of competing with anyone in the Shore. Last year's postseason run came to an end against eventual state champion Princeton, but this team is capable of taking the next step this winter.

3. Red Bank Regional

With two phenomenal sophomores in Maya Freeman and Anna Hagerty, the Bucs should once again be near the top of the standings after finishing second at the Shore meet. The aforementioned upset loss to Manasquan should serve as motivation for this group, which is clearly capable of being the best team in the Shore.

4. Red Bank Catholic

Red Bank Catholic is faced with the challenge of having to overcome Trinity Hall in both their division and in the Non-Public postseason, losing twice to the Monarchs last year. But the Caseys are up for that challenge given their talent and depth, which is headlined Olivia Wheeler, Natalie Dapra, and Caitlyn Evans. Although they fell to Trinity Hall and Red Bank Regional last season, this team is capable of making a leap forward this winter.

5. Southern Regional

Southern has the potential to make a leap forward this season, given that last year's 10-1 squad was propelled by strong freshmen and sophomores. Emily Kulinski, Sevanah Oravets and Francesca Fields are just a few of the underclassmen returning that will only be better with more experience. The Rams are the favorites to win A-South again and should be able to make a deeper postseason run.

6. Shore Regional

Shore deserves plenty of credit after last year's team endured a gauntlet of a schedule with losses to Trinity Hall, Manasquan and Red Bank Catholic. The Blue Devils still finished fifth at the Shore meet and went on to make a deep playoff run before falling to Gov. Livingston in the section final. But last year's group was reliant on senior experience that has since departed, and they will need several new faces to step up if they are going to replicate that success.

7. Colts Neck

Colts Neck put together a strong 10-3 campaign last season, with those losses coming against the two Red Bank schools and eventual state champion Princeton in the playoffs. They've lost some key performers, but return promising sophomores Julianna Sciacca and Sophia DaSilva. It's unlikely that the Cougars will surpass Red Bank Regional in the B-South division, but they should be a solid contender.

8. Central Regional

Last year's star Molly Westhoven might be gone, but the Golden Eagles return Ella Westhoven, Amelia Wenzel and Samantha Denlea as they aim to overtake Southern in the A-South division. Despite their 8-2 record, Central's season didn't quite meet their goals as they lost 114-56 against Southern and were eliminated by Moorestown in a 112-58 defeat. This team has the talent to compete if last year's underclassmen can take the next step.

9. Middletown South

Midd South has plenty of potential if they can improve their consistency and depth his season. Returning All-Shore selection Amelia Obszarny is an elite performer, and the Eagles finished seventh at the Shore meet last season (just a half-point behind Central). After a first-round exit in the section tournament, this team has the talent to make a deeper postseason run.

10. Freehold Township

The Patriots' promising 7-0 season came to an abrupt end in the first round of the Central A section playoffs, but this team certainly has the depth to repeat as A-North division champs. After that 100-70 loss to Rancocas Valley in the opening round of the NJSIAA tournament, they'll need to get more high-end performances to compliment the depth and consistency that guided them through the regular season.

Freehold Boro's Dan Listor swims the 100 butterfly during the Freehold Borough vs. Freehold Township high school swim meet at Freehold Family YMCA in Freehold, NJ Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Freehold Boro's Dan Listor swims the 100 butterfly during the Freehold Borough vs. Freehold Township high school swim meet at Freehold Family YMCA in Freehold, NJ Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

Boys All-Shore Watch List

Noam Berkovsky, Marlboro, Sr.

Joseph Busic, Central Regional, Sr.

Daren Chen, Ranney, Jr.

Matteo Fabbricatore, Marlboro, So.

Christopher Hall, Holmdel, So.

Hunter Kuenzel, Holmdel, Sr.

Daniel Listor, Freehold Borough, Sr.

Maximilian Maycher, CBA, Jr.

Charles Rennard, Red Bank Catholic, Sr.

Noah Thompson, Toms River South, Sr.

Girls All-Shore Watch List

Jillian Basile, Trinity Hall, Sr.

Maxine Camillone, Trinity Hall, Jr.

Dylann Eldridge, Manasquan, Sr.

Caitlyn Evans, Red Bank Catholic, Sr.

Maya Freeman, RBR, So.

Anna Hagerty, RBR, So.

Annie Mee, RFH, Jr.

Amelia Obszarny, Middletown South, Sr.

Ivy Slavinski, Point Pleasant Boro, So.

Olivia Wheeler, Red Bank Catholic, Jr.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore high school swimming season preview, team rankings, All-Shore Watch