Currently sitting at 7-2, the Oratory Swim Team has had a tremendous season. After placing fourth at the county race, the Rams took down a talented Scotch Plans Fanwood team, who placed third at counties, in a nail biter. However, it was in that county race that Henry Crowther broke two school records and willed the team to place ahead of both New Providence and Governor Livingston.
- The 2 free record has been held for 17 years, did you come into this season expecting to break it?
Breaking the record was definitely my goal going into the race. I knew that I could get it, but the overall goal was just to go out and snag a good time and score points for the team.
2. How were you looking to swim the race, was there a plan going in? Potentially goal splits?
Going into the race I wanted to take it out fast and set the pace. It wasn’t my best 100 split but it was enough for me to come home strong. The splits I was kind of thinking of were around a 51.5 then a 55 high or 56 low.
3. You touched a 1:47.74 at counties and Preps is coming up soon. Do you have a goal time there? Perhaps an MOC Cut?
The goal is to crack 1:47.00, I’ve never done that before and I’d love to set a best time at Lawrenceville. I’m not too worried about the MOC cut. At this point, I really just want to score some points for the team and support the boys.
4. You anchored the 200 free relay. What was the feeling before diving in, knowing we needed a strong finish to get the record and MOC Cut?
Honestly, I was a little nervous, I had messed up my relay start before in the 200 Medley and I did not want to repeat that. And for only 2 laps there are a lot of factors that could make or break the swim so I just wanted to start out good and bring the race home strong.
5. My final question, with Preps and the state tournament coming up, do you feel that any other team records will go down?
I think that all of the relay records are in play to be broken. We only missed the 200 medley relay record by .01 which we could’ve gotten very easily but I messed up my start. I feel we also have a good chance to break our own 200 freestyle relay record. Or if we decide to, we can grab the 400 freestyle relay record and MOC cut.
The Rams host St. Joseph’s (Met.) this Friday in the First round of the NJSIAA Non-Public A State Tournament. A win would set up a massive showdown with Seton Hall Prep.