Sometimes a fresh approach makes a world of difference.

A prime example is the Washington Township girls' swim team now under the direction of Jessica Slates, who took over this year for Gary Mount.

The Minutemaids went into the Christmas break 3-0-1 and No. 4 in the Courier-Post Top 10. You can credit Slates, along with assistant coach Dan Saia, for supplying plenty of enthusiasm and spirit as well swimming experience and first-hand knowledge of the kids in the program.

Both are in their mid-20s, graduates of Washington Township and the swim program there, as well as the Whitman Square Swim Club summer program where Saia is now the head coach. Both teach at the high school, which has also helped create interest. Seventy-four girls tried out for the team. They had to cut down to 40.

"We talked to the girls in the beginning of the year and they knew we were going to have to cut," Slates said. "We told the freshmen and sophomores we're treating this as a varsity sport, so they may not get into every meet, but if they have a problem to come talk to us. We're putting the best lineup together to win meets, but we're trying to get everyone in on relays."

One sophomore who won't have trouble breaking into the lineup is Cassie Cregar, a first team All-South Jersey pick in the 500 freestyle last year. She, along with classmate Andrea Castiglione, junior Jackie Mannon, and senior captains Kerrianne Farrell, Emily Verno and Colleen Avery form a nice nucleus for Slates.

"I think everybody knows the team is taking a new direction," Slates said. "They know me. They know Dan. They see us both on deck coaching in practice and during the meets. They see my enthusiasm. They know I want them to do well. I love it. I love coaching. The girls are making it so much fun."

Numbers

When you're starting a program it certainly helps to have a large group trying out.

Clearview, in its first year as a split program, had 61 girls sign up. Of that total, 50 are freshmen and sophomores. No one was cut.

"We toyed with the idea of making cuts," coach Steve Skinner said. "But since this is the first year of separate teams we wanted to encourage as many kids to come out as possible."

It hasn't been easy, but the Pioneers are trying to make the best of the situation.

Since they practice at GCIT along most of the other Tri-County Conference schools, they get only four lanes for 90 minutes each day.

"The veteran swimmers are in the pool all the time," Skinner explained. "The fourth lane we rotate swimmers in and out. On an average day we'll have 15-20 new swimmers. What we've done is have kids in the pool a couple days and doing dry land a couple days.

"The goal is to get the kids to have fun. We knew it was going to be a challenge but we decided to make the commitment. We're getting swimmers out of Brookside, Raccoon Valley and Greenfields and they're all strong programs so we're not starting from scratch."

Top frosh

There have been a number of notable freshmen performances in the early going and following are a few: