Coming out of last season, delayed and subsequently shortened due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it was hard to determine how effective any progression might have been with the Barnegat High School swim teams. Given that scenario, coaches Emily Cherry and Taylor Teliszewski opted for the most practical approach.

“We really beat them up at the beginning of the season,” Cherry said, following the boys’ 104-62 victory over Lacey to conclude a 6-2 regular season on Jan. 26.