Ex press Hopewell
MARCH 2026 FREE
SPECIAL SECTION STARTS ON PG 7 COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG
hIGh SchOOL SWIMMInG
Hopewell Valley swim teams thrive on unity By rIch FIShEr Whether the boat is sinking or enjoying smooth sailing, both the boys and girls swim teams at Hopewell Valley Central High are on board with each other. “Our program emphasizes toughness and effort as well as a ‘Row the Boat’ mentality -- doing whatever it takes to be successful while continuing to move forward together as a team through ups and downs,” said Denny Atkinson, the program’s co-coach along with former Bulldog standout Olivia Kochis. “We believe that if we can do those two things, we will be successful. This year’s boat cut through the water quite nicely, as both teams shocked the state by reaching the semifinals of their sectional meets. The boys advanced to the semis in the NJSIAA North 2 Group B meet by stunning Summit, ranked No. 20 in the state; while the girls made it by handing Metuchen its first lost of the season in the quarterfinals. . Both meets were thrillers, as the boys won 86-84 when the 400 relay teams took first and third place; and the girls won 91-79 when the 400 teams did the same thing.
“On paper the boys looked outmatched,” Atkinson said. “We kept at it throughout the meet and were able to give ourselves a chance at the end and win the 400 relay by 0.14 second. Bryson Himmelheber had a spectacular final leg in the relay to come back and win. As for the girls, Atkinson said “Metuchen was very top-heavy. We had some really good swims from our depth swimmers to keep us in the meet. We had to strategize and split the relays at the end to try and get second and third to secure the win, and we end up going first and third. Jim and Deborah Peters founded The Cambridge School in Pennington in 2001. This year’s Grace Kunkel (50, 100 free) 25th-anniversary celebrations are intended to honor Jim, who died in 2023. and Ruby Schuster (100 breaststroke) had key victories. “Both meets really showed off our toughness. Not having a pool and practicing late at night (at the Pennington School) at a rival school’s facility gives us a little chip on our shoulder. Our ing from dyslexia to ADHD to Cambridge School. kids really buy into that and it By JOE EManSKI auditory processing disorders This year, Cambridge School benefits us in close meets when Twenty-five years ago, Debo- should be able to thrive in an has pledged to complete 25 acts we are not favored.” The similar relay outcomes rah and Jim Peters started Cam- academic setting, regardless of of kindness — acts of community service — to commemowere not surprising. Even bridge School in Pennington their differences. In just a few years, the school rate not only the anniversary though they were in different with 10 students and a belief: towns at different meets, both that every student deserves attracted enough students to milestone, but also to honor coteams continued to be on the the opportunity for an excellent necessitate a move from South founder Jim Peters, who died in Main Street to Straube Center 2023. same wavelength. And when education. to Capital They believed thatHealth. children Boulevard. Today, some 125 Courtney Peters-Manning, they are competing at Welcome the same See SWIMMING, Page 24 See CAMBRIDGE, Page 6 with learning differences rang- students in grades K-12 attend When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.
Cambridge School celebrating 25 how far would years you go if they with ‘25 Acts of Kindness’ were sick?
With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment. Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the people you care about. And we do too. see our newsletter starting on pg 19 Become a part of it today at CapitalHealth.org