Mercury-area boys swimming team-by-team preview
Boyertown
Coach: Linda Jones, 19th year.
Last year’s record: 4-3 PAC-10, 5-4 overall.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Jeremy Glasner (IM, back, district qualifier), Seth Wrigley (fly, free), Christian Van Dyke (free, back). Sophomores Patrick Lance (free, fly, district scorer), Rhett Watts (free, back, district qualifier), Oren Fanok (free, breast), Michael Draves (free, IM), Jacob Kiefer (free, breast), Alex Longacre (distance free, IM), Robert Markofski (free), Sean Morris (free, back, fly). Freshmen Josh Boyer (free, back, IM), Mason Kennedy (IM, breast).
Outlook: Lost their top swimmer in Stephen Miller, a bronze medalist district AAA medalist and PIAA consolation finalist in 200 free. Also lost Nicholas Savino and a slew of other standouts. But the Bears do have an excellent young group, including standout sophomore Patrick Lance in all events. And standout Seth Wrigley returns after a one-year absence. “We are a stronger squad than last year and the return of senior Seth Wrigley certainly will help,’ Jones said. “But the majority of our squad are sophomores. With no juniors and only two freshmen, our numbers still stay small, but the swimmers we have are talented and we will give everyone a fight and should improve on last year’s record.’
Daniel Boone
Coach: Angela Owens, 3rd year.
Last year’s record: Not applicable.
Swimmers to watch: Senior captain Logan Garcia (500 free, qualified for District 3). Juniors Sam Sjosten, Daniel McCarter. Sophomore Ryan Henry. Freshmen Joseph Guiliano, David Anokinian, Zac Schnabel.
Outlook: Lost their best, and one of the area’s best, in Ryan Owens, who transferred to The Hill School. Last year, Owens won the PIAA-AAA bronze medal in the 200 freestyle with a Berks County record 1:40.08, and also medaled at states in the 100 free with a Berks record 45.28. Blazers still do not have a full team and compete in ‘˜time only’ swims for district qualification, but numbers have increased this year. “I would love to see some of our swimmers make it to districts,’ Angela Owens said. “This year, all of our swimmers train at Boyertown Y, Pottstown Y, Phoenixville Y, or Albright Aquatic Club.’
Hill School
Coach: Jay Spencer, 5th year.
Last year’s record: 3-5, 16th at Easterns.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Tony Zhang (IM, back), Sterg Dikos (fly, breast), Jordan Hay (sprint free, breast). Juniors Ryan Owens (free), Chris Schiavone (sprint free, back). Sophomores Chase Chen (IM, sprint free), Christian DeVol (diving), Tommy Dunn (distance free), Alberto Mestre (free, back). Freshmen Jordan Roach (fly, sprint free), Matt Spencer (back).
Outlook: Blues picked up one of the area’s best in Ryan Owens, who transferred from Daniel Boone. Owens won PIAA bronze in the 200 freestyle and medaled in the 100 free a year ago. They also added Sterg Dikos, a postgrad out of Governor Mifflin, who also medaled at the PIAA Championships in 2013. “This has the potential of being the best year we’ve seen in decades,’ Spencer said. “Our slowest swimmer in the 400 free relay is under 50 seconds at a flat start. We could well see some long-standing records fall this year. Most importantly, nearly all the boys have been together through the water polo season, so there is a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. The boys may follow in the girls’ footsteps and earn a place on the medal stand at Easterns this year.’
Methacton
Coach: John Welsh, 2nd year.
Last year’s record: 5-2 PAC-10. 8-5 overall.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Leon Lin (back, free), Matt Schulz (fly, IM), Mitchell Weber (free), Jake Brycki (free, fly) Sean Dix (free). Juniors Gil Price (sprint free), Austin D’Angelo (breast, IM) Cameron McAnally (back, IM) Paul McGlynn (free). Sophomores Cameron Sikora (free, back), Ed Park (back, IM), Gerry Liu (free), Josh Brycki (breast, free), Matt Connolly (free). Freshmen Mike Palumbo (free, fly, IM), Sean Manfriedi (free, breast).
Outlook: Lost a lot of good seniors in Dustin Jen, Colin Mansfield, Henry Chang, Chris Park, and their standout diver Dan Roy, one of their big point scorers in dual meets. Leon Lin and Matt Schulz are expected to lead a deeper Warriors lineup in 2014-15. Last year’s record was an improvement on the previous year, which had been Welsh’s main objective when he took over as head coach. He wants to push it up even more this season.
Owen J. Roberts
Co-coaches: Kevin Bott, 15th year, Jeni Umstead, 3rd year.
Last year’s record: 6-1 PAC-10, 8-1-1 overall.
Swimmers to watch: Senior Weston Lickfeld (breast, IM). Juniors Colin Bauer (fly, free), Alec Schneider (free, back), Andrew Kull (breast), Matt Dinnocenti (diving). Sophomore Ryan Bowker.
Outlook: Lost three of their top swimmers, including Mercury All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year Sam Feiser, along with Basil Mokhallalati, Alex McCullough and diver Tim Graybill. Junior Colin Bauer is the leading returnee for the Wildcats, who have a huge freshman class of 12 coming in. “We lost some top-end talent to graduation, but there are still some strong athletes returning, and there is a large class of incoming freshmen,’ Bott said. “Many are motivated to take the next step in the sport and go to a new level and we are excited for them.’
Perkiomen School
Coach: Co-coaches Ryan Hanosek, Erin Davidson Kellogg, Laura Jones.
Last year’s record: Not available.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Connor Bade (sprint free), Bobby Lee (fly), Patrick Vetter (distance free, breast). Junior Kristian Olsen (fly, back). Newcomers to watch: Ooduah Orafidya (free), Henry Dalgleish (free).
Outlook: Did not lose much and still have their top man back in sprint freestyler Connor Bade. “This year we have a young squad who are excited and committed to participate in competitive swimming,’ Davidson Kellogg said. “Last year, Perk had a great group of students attend Easterns Interscholastic Championships where they set team records and broke their personal best times. We look to continue growing our program with our new hardworking, dedicated swimmers.’
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Brian Zeigler, 1st year.
Last year’s record: 7-0 PAC-10, 14-0 overall. Four-time defending PAC-10 champions, and three time defending Ches-Mont League champions. Only PAC-10 team that competes in two leagues.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Kyle Dix (free), Bryce Groshardt (back), Corey Jackson (breast), Nate Kell (breast), Ted Lewis (free), Michael Melissen (distance free, back), Logan Thorneloe (distance free, IM), Sam Catlin (free), Dan Kershner (diving). Juniors Matt Geiger (breast), Dave Moran (free, back), Luke Waite (distance free, IM). Sophomores Jake Gamble (fly, free), Killian McColgan (diving), Logan Newman (free), Michael Yannantuono (free).
Outlook: Vikings are riding an incredible four-year undefeated streak dating back to January 2011, along with a four-year PAC-10 and three-year Ches-Mont League championship streak. But longtime head coach Jack Graham, who wants to spend more time with his young children, has stepped away, handing the reigns over to his longtime assistant and right-hand man Brian Zeigler. With Zeigler very much part of that streak, it will make for a smooth transition. PV has its best back in Kyle Dix, a PIAA-AAA medalist in the 50 free and consolation finalist in 100 free, along with a slew of other standouts. “The team will rely heavily on the veteran leadership of Kyle Dix along with fellow state qualifiers Logan Thorneloe and Bryce Groshardt,’ Zeigler said. “The sky is the limit for Kyle this season as he continues to push not only himself but his teammates as well. We have a veteran team that knows what’s expected and knows how to swim in big meets. They’re looking forward to some great competition in the PAC-10 and Ches-Mont leagues. It will be fun to see what this crew can do this year.’
Phoenixville
Coach: Dan Weinstein, 3rd year (8th year with the team).
Last year’s record: 1-6 PAC-10, 2-9 overall.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Jan Aclan (back, distance free), Josh Ziev (free, breast, IM). Juniors Josh Guevin (distance free), Jack Thompson (free, back). Sophomores Josh Hayward (back, fly, free), Matt Tweedie (breast, free). Freshman Zach Kleppe (free).
Outlook: “The Phantoms enjoyed great success at AA districts last year, setting several team records in both individual and relay events,’ Weinstein said. “However, with the loss of graduate Robert Newman and being bumped up to AAA this year, we have our work cut out for us to make it back to districts. Under the senior leadership of captains Aclan and Ziev, the Phantoms will be up for the challenge.’
Pope John Paul II
Coordinators: Maya Escott and Jeanine Silks.
Last year’s record: Not applicable.
Swimmers to watch: Sophomores Ivan Escott (IM, fly, free, district qualifier) and Samuel Granieri (free).
Outlook: PJP does not have a full team with its swimmers competing in “time only” swims to qualify for districts. Maya Escott and Jeanine Silks have taken over as team coordinators in place of former coach Catherine Fink. “This year our sophomores Ivan and Sam are working towards improving their individual goals,’ Maya Escott said. “Ivan continues on his path of qualifying for districts in several events, with plans to improve his previous placement in the PIAA Class AA group.’
Pottsgrove
Coach: Karen Youtzy, 2nd year.
Last year’s record: 2-5 PAC-10, 2-11 overall.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Owen Agnew (breast, free), Danny Berry (breast), Matt Bush (fly). Juniors Jacob Harvey (fly), Kevin Basch (back), Sean Orrison (breast). Sophomores Michael Prior (fly), Dustin Schreiber. Freshmen Patrick Agnew, Aaron Giraud, Gavin Glinecke.
Outlook: Falcons improved to 2-5 last season from 0-7 previous year. Did lose their top swimmer in Morgan Schreiber, but do return some of their best in Owen Agnew, Kevin Basch (PIAA-AA qualifier in 500 free), and Michael Prior. “We only lost one swimmer from last year, but we’ve gained a few good swimmers this season,’ Youtzy said. “We’re looking for more wins this year.’
Pottstown
Coach: Alex Diehl, 1st year.
Last year’s record: Not applicable. (Team competes in ‘˜time only’ swims to qualify for districts).
Swimmers to watch: Senior Anthony Gazzillo (50 and 100 free, District 1-AA).
Outlook: Alex Diehl takes over the Pottstown coaching duties from Mark Agnew, who moved on to take over as the Spring-Ford head coach. Gazzillo may be lone Pottstown boys swimmer, but has been a two-year District 1-AA medalist.
Spring-Ford
Coach: Mark Agnew, 1st year.
Last year’s record: 3-4 PAC-10.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Ethan D’Arcangelo (IM, back), Channing Ryan (free), Dan Baker (sprint free). Juniors Eric Jordan (sprint free), Nicholas Pompizzi (back, breast), Cameron Hilliard (distance free). Sophomores Noah Cancro (back, IM, free), Callum Orme (free), Gareth Orme (free).
Outlook: It is the start of a new Rams era. Mark Agnew takes over from Bob Sieracki, who started the Rams swim program a decade ago. Agnew is no stranger to the local swimming community. He was an assistant on the state champion Pottstown YMCA Seahawks team. Former longtime Seahawks head coach Kathy Cook is now his assistant at Spring-Ford. Standout Ethan D’Arcangelo returns to the team after a one-year absence. Rams will continue to train and host their dual meets at Ursinus. ‘Great freshman class of eight swimmers brings lots of depth,’ Agnew said. “We’re hoping to get back to .500 in the PAC-10.’
Upper Perkiomen
Co-coaches: Brien Kalnoski, 2nd year.
Last year’s record: 0-7 PAC-10.
Swimmers to watch: Seniors Brandon Umstead (back, fly), Ryan Mercando (free). Juniors Mitch Cairas (free), Tyler Reed (free). Sophomore Kevin Himmelwright (all events).
Outlook: Did not lose anybody from last year’s young team and are well on the way in their maturing process with an excellent core led by Umstead and Mercando. “We return all four District 1 (AA) qualifiers from last year,’ Kalnoski said. “The team will be led by senior team captains Brandon Umstead and Ryan Mercando. We will look to our underclassmen to provide a contribution as well this year, and as we continue to rebuild for the future.’
— Compiled by Rosemarie Ross
