The New Year brings the hope of better things to come, but Archbishop Wood has some solid evidence on which to base those expectations.

Saturday at Stroudsburg High School's Winter Swim Classic, Wood was third with 244 points behind East Stroudsburg South (255) and team champion Father Judge (270).

“The guys felt really good with the way they did and this should give them a confidence boost,” Vikings coach Charlie Stillwell said.

The 400-yard freestyle relay — Brendon McGhee, David Keller, John Wright and Sean Joyce — finished first in 3 minutes, 45.24 seconds.

Bill Keen is a staff writer for The Intelligencer. He can be reached at (215) 957-8158 or bkeen@phillyBurbs.com.

January 12, 2006 8:17 AM