It’s time to unveil the second part of Preseason Top 20 for girls swimming.
This year, we’ll be releasing the Preseason Top 20 in three segments.
Here are Nos. 6-20:
6-Mainland
Mainland might’ve won a Public B title last year if it didn’t have to get through Moorestown for a sectional title. The Mustangs have last year’s NJ.com Swimmer of the Year in Katie McClintock, and have plenty of talent and depth around her as the South Jersey squad looks to build on what’s been a steady climb the last few years.
7-Pingry
- 2019-20 ranking: Unranked
Pingry had a down season a year ago, but the Big Blue look to be back on track and could be competing at the top of the Skyland Conference this year. The Non-Public squad has both the center lane talent and depth to compete with some of the top programs in the state.
8-Chatham
It’s a year of transition for Chatham, which has plenty of big names to replace, but the depth is always there for the Morris County squad. Chatham reached the Public B title meet a year ago, and would’ve been one of the top contenders to make it back there this season with Sara Barrett leading the way.
9-Westfield
Wins over Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Summit helped highlight Westfield’s return to becoming one of the elite programs in the state. The only losses the Blue Devils suffered were to IHA and Bridgewater-Raritan, with both of those teams eventually swimming at TCNJ at the end of the year. Westfield enters the season as the likely favorite in Union County, and a serious title contender in the state.
10-Summit
Summit was one of the biggest surprises last season, shooting up the rankings and reaching the sectional final before ending its season against Chatham. The Hilltoppers should be even better this season with the majority of its swimmers back this year, and a solid enough freshman class to offset some of its losses.
11-Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Scotch Plains-Fanwood should continue to climb the rankings this season as it looks to reclaim its spot among the state’s elite. Lily Hughes and Julia Bonhote highlight a roster that is mostly intact after battling with Westfield, Summit and Chatham atop the standings a year ago.
Emma Shaughnessy of Colts Neck wins the 100 breaststroke during the Shore Conference swimming championships at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center at Rutgers University in Piscatawy, NJ on 1-30-20. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
12-Colts Neck
Colts Neck has morphed into one of the most talented programs in the state, turning from an up-and-comer a few seasons ago to one of the top programs entering this season. Colts Neck is the clear favorite in the Shore Conference again, as Ashleigh Anzevino, Shannon Judge, Julia Nappi and Emma Shaughnessy are expected back to headline a roster that would’ve been in contention for a state title this season.
13-Ocean City
Ocean City has regularly produced some of the top sprinters in the state, and this year should be no difference with Alex Antonov, Olivia Scherbin and Katie Barlow back as part of a roster that expects to be competitive in South Jersey.
High School Girls Swimming SkylandConference at Montgomery High School on 1-20-2020. Mount Saint Mary’s Julia Meisner competes in the 200 IM.Phil McAuliffe For The Times Of Trenton
14-Mount St. Mary
- 2019-20 ranking: Unranked
Mount St. Mary has some of the most talented swimmers in the state with Olivia Chow and Julia and Catherine Meisner headlining an attack that has the Skyland Conference squad competing with some of the state’s best teams. Last year that meant a Non-Public A final appearance, and they likely would’ve been set to compete for a championship again this season.
15-Hillsborough
Hillsborough is always in the Top 20 conversation, and proved as much last year with its only two losses coming against Bridgewater-Raritan. It should be more of the same for Hillsborough this season with Danielle D’Ambrosio expected back to give the Raiders an elite center lane talent.
16-Mountain Lakes
Before Haddonfield became the elite team it’s looked like recently, Mountain Lakes was the team that dominated Public C. The Lakers weren’t just the classification’s best teams, but one of the elite programs in the state. While it has some big names to replace this season, the Lakers still have the type of talent to be considered one of the state’s best.
Egg Harboror Township’s Alexandria Cotter competes in the 100 yard butterfly at the Meet of Champions at Gloucester County Institute of Technology on 3/1/20.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
17-Egg Harbor
Egg Harbor had a tough time competing with the elite programs last season, dropping meets against Moorestown, Mainland and Cherry Hill East, but most teams struggled against those clubs last year. And Egg Harbor was good in its own right, something that shouldn’t change with Alexandria Cotter and Ava McDonough back this year to lead the South Jersey squad.
18-Morristown
Morristown has been one of the elite teams in the state for the last several years, but look like they might be taking a step back this season with several of its elite swimmers graduating over the last couple seasons. Still, the Colonials should be expected to be one of the best teams in Morris County, and never seem to have a shortage of elite talent coming up through the ranks.
19-WW-P North
West Windsor-Plainsboro North is coming off an undefeated regular season, and a sectional final appearance with its season only ending with a loss to Colts Neck. The Mercer County squad should be dangerous again this year with Victoria Zhang expected back to lead another talented squad.
20-Middletown South
- 2019-20 ranking: Unranked
Middletown South has been one of the best teams in the Shore Conference over the last few years. They’re expected to be near the top of the conference again this year and give Colts Neck a fight atop the standings.
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Evan Slavit may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @EvanSlavitHS. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.
