VIDEO: Crusader swimmers top Lower to remain unbeaten

Posted: January 20th 2024

Kona Wong of Wildwood Catholic swims to first place in the 200 individual medley during a recent meet with Lower Cape May.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

The success of the Wildwood Catholic Academy swimming team has been one of the more underrated stories of the current local winter high school sports season.

The Crusaders ran their record in dual meets to 6-0 on the season and moved to the brink of clinching a conference championship with Wednesday’s 106-64 victory over Lower Cape May at the Joseph Von Savage Memorial Pool in Wildwood Crest. Wildwood Catholic posted first-place finishes in nine of the 11 events at the meet. The Crusaders moved to 4-0 in the new Cape-Atlantic United Conference, which has been formed to help coed teams and has created a three-conference format within the CAL instead of the previous two.

“The reconfiguration of the league has really helped us out because we’re going up against similar schools in a coed format,” longtime Wildwood Catholic coach Chris Gamble said. “Whenever you’re able to get a little streak going it leads to positive things and the kids get behind that.” 

Against Lower, Wildwood Catholic got strong performances from the duo of L.J. Belasco and Kona Wong as each swimmer was part of four first-place finishes. They teamed with Lauren Crouthamel and Cade Vogdes to win the 200 medley relay and with Crouthamel and Teddy Woolery to take first in the 400 free relay.

Belasco also claimed first in the 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle, while Wong earned top honors in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle.

“L.J. and Kona are juniors who’ve been with us since the start and they’re really starting to come into their own,’ Gamble said.

Woolery, a transfer from Cape May Tech, was also a double individual winner, taking first in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. And Crouthamel topped the field for first place in the 200 freestyle. Crouthamel and Kaitlyn Nordberg, who was second in both the 200 IM and 500 freestyle against Lower, have been impact freshmen.

“The addition of Ted has really made a big difference for us,” Gamble said. “Lauren and Kaitlyn, as freshmen, they’ve really been nice additions to our team. It’s nice to have incoming members contribute so much.”

Gamble also credited seniors Blake Rosenello, Nola Quinn and Ally Grandizio for helping the program.

“They’ve provided good leadership for this crew,” Gamble said. “It’s really good to see our team having a nice season during their senior year.”

Wildwood Catholic can clinch the CAL United title with a win in next Wednesday’s home meet with Cape May Tech. The Crusaders already beat the Hawks earlier this season, 103-67.

One of the major factors in Wildwood Catholic’s success has been its increased depth. There were some seasons recently when Gamble had to worry about numbers, although “we always seemed to have enough to get by,” he said. But this season, the team is carrying nearly 35 swimmers, the most the program has had in years.

“It seems like the word is out that we’re trying our best to have a positive environment, we’re having fun and the kids are learning,” Gamble said. “They’re telling their friends about it and more and more are coming out.”