As head coach of Haddonfield Memorial High School’s swim team, Bob Querubin keeps his swimmers focused on the next goal instead of allowing them to dwell on a result.
But it may be OK to dwell a bit as the HMHS swim team has brought home eight state titles with Querubin at the helm, four apiece for both the girls and boys teams.
“As years go by and the gap between teams closes, all you can do as a coaching staff is present what you believe is the right way to approach the season,” Querubin said. “What we told the guys is that the ultimate goal is to get back and try to improve.’’
And that is exactly what Haddonfield has done with Querubin.
Under Querubin’s direction, Haddonfield reached the state final for the fifth time in six years in 2010 ending a streak of five consecutive titles for Mountain Lakes High School. That moment was the one Querubin looks at with the most pride.
“Of course, the most recent championship is usually №1 in your mind and closer to the heart,’’ Querubin said. “But aside from being the most recent, that had been by far the best season for me. Not taking anything away from the 2004 season, but that meant more just because of what the boys had been through.’’
Being able to look forward and not dwell on losses became particularly important during a five-year span in which Haddonfield lost to Mountain Lakes in four appearances in the finals of the NJSIAA Public B state tournament.
Querubin, a graduate of Cherry Hill High School West, uses a laid back personality to preach his message of focusing on the meet ahead and not failures behind.
“It’s one thing to say that Bob’s teams have been successful year after year. That’s hard to do, and that tells you about the kind of coach he is,’’ said HMHS athletic director Lefteris Banos. “His competition has nothing but good things to say about him. That tells you about the kind of person he is.’’
Querubin expects to lean on his seniors as the Bulldawgs chase yet another state title.
“We’ve been lucky with these guys and girls swimming as many years as they have,” Querubin said. “Seniors typically know what it takes, how it works and how to get themselves prepared. Hopefully, that growth will show itself this season.”
