ABBIE ROAD: Hun School girls’ swimmer Abbie Danko shows her form in a meet last year. Senior star Danko is leading the way for Hun as it looks to build on the success it experienced last winter when it won the program’s first-ever team title at the Mercer County Championships. Hun, which defeated the George School (Pa.) 89-78 on December 10 in its first meet of the season, returns to action on January 8 with a meet at the Blair Academy. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Flying under the radar, the Hun School girls’ swimming squad pulled off a major surprise last winter as it won the program’s first-ever team title at the Mercer County Championships.

Reflecting on the 2019-20 campaign, Hun head coach Joan Nuse realizes it will be tough to match that success.

“It was awesome last year; it is going to be a challenge to live up to that,” said Nuse, noting that a talented group of six swimmers scored all the points for Hun at the county meet. “We will do the best we can.”

Starting the season by defeating George School (Pa.) 89-78 on December 10, Hun showed that it can still be formidable.

“It was good to see that some of our new, young swimmers did well and are able to contribute,” said Nuse. “The girls were really enthusiastic.”

Nuse is enthusiastic about what senior stars Abbie Danko and Marie-Eve Hebert can contribute this winter.

“They are both very versatile, I think they will both have to step up for us in some of the tougher events, whether that be the 500 or the individual medley or the fly,” said Nuse.

“I am trying to make it so that nobody gets the burden on them every single time and try to change up the lineup. I am sure that when we have a need they are going to have to step up for us.”

Senior Grace Davis, a team captain along with Danko and fellow senior Grace Lin, and sophomore Hannah Davis are stepping up again for the Raiders.

“They both did really well for us last year, it is good to have them both back,” said Nuse, noting that the Davis girls are unrelated.

“This is Grace’s fourth year so she is another one who is a big part of the growth of the team over the years. Hannah is just continuing to improve and once again will have to be like the others and pick it up for us where we need her.”

A pair of freshmen, Sophia Burton and Charlotte Petty, are already showing that will be a big part of the team this season and beyond.

“Sophia and Charlotte have stepped up nicely for us,” said Nuse. “Having lost Izzy [Peel] and Becca [Della Rocca], we have a need for some people to step in. They are going to be solid swimmers for us.”

With Hun returning to action from the holiday break by facing the Blair Academy on January 8, Nuse will need her swimmers to get up to speed quickly.

“It is going to be interesting because we have been off for a while,” said Nuse.

“We have to get everybody right back in shape because we only have a handful swimming club who have been in the water. We haven’t been in the water since December 18, it is a little bit rough. We will have to go out and do the best we can and hope that Blair has not been in the water for a while.”

No matter what happens at Blair, Hun looks to be on track for another stellar performance at the county meet which takes place from January 30-February 1.

“Our numbers are continuing to grow and it is always a lot of fun to watch the kids who don’t have much experience really come along,” said Nuse.

“They are doing a nice job with that. We are going to have some kids continue to improve and hopefully keep going for the future.”