With a whole crew of returning swimmers back in the pool, the Barnegat High School boys team started the season knowing it had a really strong chance of making the NJSIAA South Jersey Group C tournament for a fourth straight year. On Jan. 29, just days before seeding was scheduled to occur, the Bengals looked not only prepared for the sectional tourney, but also a contender to win it.

“We’re definitely ready,” said Matt Zielinski, one of two seniors on the squad, which routed Central Regional, 112-58,…