Amanda Nunan is in just her second year of high school swimming, but the Ocean City sophomore is quickly becoming a leader of one of the best swimming teams in the state. Last week, Nunan won a pair of freestyle events, the 100 and 200, and also was a part of two winning freestyle relay teams to help the undefeated Red Raiders (9-0) capture their second straight South Jersey championship. In the final race of the day, Nunan teamed up with Maggie Wallace, Gabby Breazeale and Amber Glenn to win the 400 freestyle relay and that helped seal the 90-80 win over Moorestown. For her efforts, Nunan has been named the Bunting Family Pharmacy Athlete of the Week. “We’re all really excited, and hope to do even better in the next meet,” Nunan said. 
Amanda Nunan won two individual events and was a part of two winning relays last week as Ocean City beat Moorestown to capture its second straight South Jersey championship. (Glory Days Magazine 2014 file photo/Dave O’Sullivan) Ocean City coach Kate Merz employed a little bit of strategy to help the Red Raiders beat Moorestown. She felt Wallace could win the 500 freestyle, and she did, and that allowed Merz to put Nunan in the 100 to pick up valuable team points. Nunan said she was a bit surprised at the lineup maneuvering since her best events normally are the longer freestyle races, but she didn’t mind performing in a shorter race. “I usually don’t swim (the 100), but since we have Maggie and Amber who can swim the 500, coach Merz said that I should do the 100,” Nunan said. “I knew the day before and I was a bit surprised, but it was a good surprise because the 500 is kind of hard.” Merz said that’s just the kind of teammate Nunan is. She said Nunan will do whatever is asked of her if it means the team will be more successful. “She’s a very versatile swimmer when it comes to freestyle. Amanda is a very focused, dedicated swimmer and I think she is a great role model. She’s very dedicated to the team and she loves the sport, and I think that comes out in her swimmin,” Merz said. “She wants to do well for the team. I think her changing it up and not swimming her usual events just shows how much she wants the team to be successful.”
Dave O’Sullivan, Publisher
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