FLYING HIGH: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Annie Flanagan churns through a butterfly race in recent action. Senior star Flanagan placed first in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke as PHS defeated WW/P-South 90-80 in its last action before the holiday break. The Tigers, who improved to 4-0 with the win in the December 16 meet, host Hopewell Valley on January 6 and Bridgewater-Raritan on January 8. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)

By Bill Alden

Last December, the Princeton High girls’ swimming team fell 91-79 to WW/P-South to suffer its first defeat in a regular season meet since 2019.

Wrapping up the 2025 portion of its schedule this winter, PHS turned the tables on the Pirates, edging them 90-80 on December 16.

“I really couldn’t be prouder of them, we lost to them last year,” said PHS head coach Patrick Remboski, whose girls’ squad moved to 4-0 with the victory. “They are a really, really talented team. They are well coached, it is a really great program, so whenever we get to swim against them, it is so much fun.”

Remboski is having fun watching senior star Annie Flanagan excel this winter.

“She is giving us everything, we are going to miss her so much next year,” said Remboski of Flanagan, who placed first in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke in the win over South. “She is just a positive person. She loves to compete, but she also provides some motivation and calmness to the underclassmen as well. She is really a great presence on the team. She is one of our captains this year.”

Two other seniors, Emily Walden and Vivian Lee, have been setting a positive tone for the squad.

“Emily is also one of our captains this year,” said Remboski of Walden, who took third in the 50 free and fourth in the 200 free against the Pirates. “You talk about someone who just gives it her all every day; she has not missed a practice. She is always trying to get better; she is never fully satisfied. She has just given the team so much energy, she is not a club swimmer, which is really cool. Vivian is an important senior. She is coming back from being sick and is another person who is helping the vibes of the team.”

A pair of sophomores, Jenna Barry and Charlie Flanagan, Annie’s younger sister, have been getting better and better. Barry won the 100 free and took second in the 200 free against South while the younger Flanagan placed second in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 back in the meet.

“Jenna did make a jump, she is another person who we really enjoy having on the team,” said Remboski. “She carries herself like a much older person, she is mature. Charlie takes after her sister; she is a competitor as well. She has embraced her new role as a sophomore who is going to be a standout swimmer for us. Every day, every practice, she works hard and motivates the team and keeps it cohesive.”

Freshmen Aryahi Pimple, Lucia Camilli, and Kailey Yun have emerged as key performers already for the Tigers. In the win over South, Pimple placed second in both the 500 free and 100 breaststroke while Camilli finished third in the 100 breast and 100 butterfly and Yun took third in the 200 IM and 500 free.

“Usually, our freshmen are a little bit nervy, but Aryahi is a veteran to the swimming scene and has had a lot of experience,” said Remboski.“She is understanding big moments like helping the 400 free relay secure that win against South. She is all in. Lucia and Kailey are both super important for us this year.”

Having younger swimmers step up has been critically important for the Tigers as they are a bit shorthanded this winter.

“Our roster is smaller than usual, we are down two swimmers who have been injured and are on their way back,” said Remboski. “It is a heavy workload, but these girls never complain.”

With PHS starting 2026 action by hosting Hopewell Valley on January 6 and Bridgewater-Raritan on January 8, Remboski knows his girls will have to keep working hard to keep on the winning track.

“2026 is going to be a challenging year,” said Remboski.

“Bridgewater will be really fun; we are looking for tougher out-of-conference meets. With these byes built into our schedule, it allows us to swim against teams we wouldn’t typically swim against.”