DiVenti wins four races to lead Little Tigers over Spartans
HAMILTON >> At the outset of every high school swim season it’s always interesting to see what veteran club swimmer will burst on the scene as a standout freshman.
For the Princeton High girls team, look no further than Katie DiVenti.
The newcomer produced four victories Tuesday to pace the Little Tigers to a 122-48 victory over Steinert.
And she wasn’t even at full force.
“I had a meet this weekend (at George Mason University) in Virginia,” DiVenti said. “I’m not at my peak right now. I’m still recovering from that, but I think for the conditions and the situation I did pretty well.”
Well let’s see. She won the 200 free and 500 free and was part of the firstplace 200 free relay and 400 free relay. Yup, pretty well indeed.
“She’s someone that can really get in and swim anything,” coach Carly Misiewicz said. “She’s been a stud for us so far in the 200 and 500. She’s very versatile — an IMer, a butterflyer. She can literally swim anything.”
And she doesn’t mind at all.
“Katie will always step up to the challenge,” Misiewicz said. “As a freshman she’s still trying to figure out this whole high school swimming and how it works. For her right now it’s just enjoying being part of the team. I told her I don’t want her to have this pressure where she has to perform a certain way. Just go out and have fun and the wins will come from that.”
So far, so good. DiVenti swims for the Princeton Piranhas club team, but has also taken part in rec swimming during the summer.
“I’ve done summer swim since I was four, and high school is similar to summer league,” she said. “The dynamic here is different than club swim, but I’m used to it.”
She enjoys the team aspect, the lower-key competition and the fact she can measure herself against girls who are three years older than her.
“It’s definitely a lot less pressure, the people are a lot less intimidating in this environment,” she said. “In club, it’s separated by age group but here there’s no separation, so it’s freshmen and seniors all going together.”
DiVenti feels her best events are the 200 and 500 freestyle and the butterfly, which she will probably focus on in counties.
“I saw a little scouting report on USA Swimming before she got here,” Misiewicz said. “I knew she was very good and versatile. She also specializes in distance. She’s finding her way with us nicely and we’re trying to figure out the right places for her to help us the most.”
The coach is doing that with several young swimmers as she has a plethora of freshmen. Another veteran led the way against Steinert as junior Cameron Davis won four for the Little Tigers, while Amy Kim, Ria Sharma and Margaret Hill had two relay wins each. Emily Bauser and Emily Becker both swam the 200 medley relay.
“The girls were very impressive,” Misiewicz said. “I’m still trying to figure out that perfect lineup, and where do we fall. We’ve got a lot of new freshmen on the team, which is good. We were missing a couple today getting ready for the Holiday Classic with their club meets, but people stepped up.
“Cameron Davis has been a star for us since her freshman year. Emily Bauser is a sophomore coming up on breast and IM. We have some other freshmen who weren’t here who will make a difference come county time.”
Steinert got two firsts apiece from Hannah Devine and Jordyn Cascone.
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FIRST PLACE FINISHERS 200 medley relay: Princeton (Davis, Bauser, Becker, Sharma) 2:10.81 200 free: Katie DiVenti (P) 2:14.45 200 IM: Devine (S) 2:26.86 50 free: Cascone (S) 28.42 100 fly: Davis (P) 1:08.06 100 free: Cascone (S) 1:03.28 500 free: DiVenti (P) 5:57.43 200 free relay: Princeton (Sharma, Hill, Kim, DiVenti) 1:59.31 100 back: Davis (P) 1:07.35 100 breast: Devine (S) 1:20.06 400 free relay: Princeton (DiVenti, Kim, Hill, Davis).