Phil Anastasia: Flanagan leads Shawnee swimmers in and out of water

He is a star swimmer who probably does his best work out of the water.

Make no mistake, senior J.D. Flanagan is a shark for Shawnee. He won two individual events and swam a leg on two winning relays last night as the Renegades captured the South Jersey Public A sectional title with a 105-65 victory over Mainland.

But as conspicuous as Flanagan was in the GCIT pool, he might have been more noticeable on the deck - slapping backs, bumping fists, cheering his teammates to an imposing performance in the most important meet of the season.

"You should have seen him before we started," Shawnee junior Paul Maneri said. "He was screaming. He's one of those guys who is not afraid to show how excited he is.

"He was getting everybody pumped up. He sets the tone for our entire team."

Flanagan and Maneri led Shawnee (13-2), the No. 4 team in the Inquirer Super Six, to its second consecutive sectional title by combining for four individual victories and playing a part in the Renegades' three victorious relays.

Flanagan won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 3.50 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 55.03. Maneri won the 50 freestyle in 22.10 and 100 freestyle in 48.50.

The pair were part of the winning 200 medley relay, while Flanagan anchored the 200 freestyle relay to victory, and Maneri brought home the 400 freestyle relay in the final event.

But it was a team victory, as Shawnee got good work from Harrison Hahn (two seconds, plus legs on two winning relays), Dan Messmer (a win in the 200 freestyle, plus legs on two winning relays), and Eric McLaverty (legs on two winning relays), among many others.

"Paul and I were going to do what we needed to do," Flanagan said. "The big thing was the way everybody stepped up. We had guys dropping times and swimming great all over the pool.

"That was huge for us."

Flanagan's leadership was clear through the meet. He kept checking with Shawnee coach Jeff Denick on the score and the strategy. He kept encouraging his teammates before events and congratulating them afterward.

"That's his personality," Denick said of Flanagan. "This time of the year, I like to turn it over to the swimmers, and J.D. is the kind of kid that will step up to that."

Flanagan, who also swims for the South Jersey Aquatic Club, is one of several Renegades who sport a Mohawk haircut. Some of the swimmers have cut their hair for a more aerodynamic effect, but Flanagan and Maneri, among others, prefer a punk-rock look.

"It's something we did last year, and I wanted to carry it over to this year," Flanagan said.

Any odd looks in school?

"Doesn't bother me," Flanagan said with a shrug.

Flanagan and Maneri have been friends since they started swimming together at around 8 years old for Deerbrook Swim Club.

"I was just looking at old pictures from back then," Flanagan said. "Me and Paul and Dan Messmer, we're like a brotherhood."

Maneri said Flanagan was the same kind of kid - gregarious, enthusiastic, supportive - as an 8-year-old.

He's just taller now. With less hair on the sides.

"He's exactly the same," Maneri said. "He's the most fun person I've ever been around.

"I can't believe how excited he gets. I call it controlled fury. But it rubs off on the rest of the team, and it shows in the pool."