BTHS's new coach has a strong nucleus of swimmers

BRICK TOWNSHIP — There have been only a few days of practice, but Darren St. Jean is quickly getting accustomed to some different surroundings as the new coach of the Brick Township High School girls swim team.

"I coached age-group swimming at the [Ocean County] Y for many years, working with young kids, so this is different, but it's going really good. I'm really enjoying myself," he said.

St. Jean's team opens its season on Dec. 1 against Toms River High School North. Dana Heckman, who was the head coach last season, is the assistant coach.

St. Jean, the only new winter coach in the township this season, said that he still is getting to know many of the swimmers but has a solid nucleus and a team that is well rounded in all of the events.

Five swimmers who carried much of the load last year have graduated, although Kaitlyn Huizing, a junior who qualified for the Shore Conference championships in five different events last season, returns.

Barbara Floyd remains as the boys' coach, while Don McCarrick and Todd Estelle again coach the boys and girls teams, respectively, at Brick Memorial High School.

Bowling and hockey practices also are under way for Dec. 1 season-openers, while basketball and wrestling practices begin on Nov. 27.

St. Jean said his team had a solid turnout and welcomes back a nucleus of juniors led by Huizing, a short distance freestyle swimmer who also swims the backstroke. Jess Joseph also is a sprinter, while Shannon Sabo, the lone senior of the group, swims the distance events and the individual medley.

Makayla Serafin, whose older sister Corey concluded a fine career with the Green Dragons two seasons ago, swims the individual medley and breast stroke, and Christy Weigle swims long- and short-distance freestyle.