PHOTO GALLERY: Middle sweeps swimming opener over Cape Tech

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township High School swimming teams enjoyed a fine start to the season at the expense of their biggest rivals Tuesday afternoon.

Zach Hurtado in the boys meet and Urvi Patel in the girls meet each won four events for Middle’s teams as they swept Cape May Tech. The Panther boys won by a score of 91-79, while the girls took a 103-67 decision.

In addition to the close proximity of the schools’ campuses, Middle and Cape May Tech are natural rivals since they share the pool facility at the Cape May County Special Services School District for practices and home meets.

Hurtado won the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle and was also part of two winning relay teams for Middle’s boys team. Brendon Bartha (200 individual medley) and Sean Geary (100 breaststroke) also won individual events for Middle.

On the girls side, Patel won the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke and was part of two winning relay teams. Other individual winners for Middle in the girls meet included Ishika Patel (50 freestyle), Miranda Targum (100 butterfly), Sophia Bosacco (100 freestyle) and Lindsey Pane (500 freestyle).

— Brian Cunniff