It’s not a secret. After winning the NJSIAA South Jersey Group C championship last winter, the Barnegat boys swim team expects to be competing for another sectional crown in February, despite some heavy graduation losses last June.

“The bar is set high, and it’s definitely staying there,” said senior Josh Hutton following the Bengals’ 132-35 victory over Lower Cape May on Jan. 9. “We want to stay consistent, and we’re aiming for that title again. I think we can get it.”

So far, the 4-2 Bengals seem to be as strong as they were last year at this point of the season.