Downingtown West girls and Coatesville boys stay perfect on year
Uwchlan — It was a packed natatorium on Wednesday evening, as Downingtown West and Coatesville’s swim programs faced off in a Ches-Mont League National Division showdown.
Both the Whippets’ girls team and the Red Raiders’ boys team entered the meet with unbeaten records, and finished the night with those perfect records still intact. Downingtown West’s girls won 97-54, while Coatesville’s boys were victorious 114-58.
In the girls meet, Downingtown West (1-0 National, 2-0 overall) used their youth and their depth to pick up their first league victory. Sophomore, Katherine Sears stole the show dominating the 200 yard freestyle, and the 100 freestyle.
“I just kept positive thoughts in my mind.’ Sears said. “The place was not as important today. My main goal was my time. I wanted to keep dropping it and continue to make progress.’
The Whippets had three different races where they took first, second, and third place. In the 200 freestyle, Sears, Marlies Duncan, and Cate Welch took the top three spots. In the 200 individual medley, Madi Grenoble, Lexi Rauth, and Siobhan McCatrhey finished first through third respectively, and in the 100 butterfly Rebecca Zaeyenga, Gabrielle Meunier, and Madison MacQueen went one, two, three.
The team feels like the hot start can assist them as they tackle the remainder of their Ches-Mont schedule.
“Today was huge for us. To win these meets early in the season is really important for our team moving forward,’ Sears said.
Downingtown West may have won in a lopsided fashion, but it was the Red Raiders (0-2 National, 0-3 overall) who took in the spotlight in the diving competition. Seniors Savannah Madonna and Alexandria Barnhart came in first and second place, qualifying for districts in the process. Madonna scored a 201.70, while Barhart posted a 197.15.
“It feels awesome,’ Madonna said. “It is great that we were able to qualify for districts so early in the season and now we don’t have to worry about it anymore.’
Both girls made districts for the first time in 2013, but to clinch a postseason berth in the beginning of the 2014 season will pay dividends.
“It definitely takes the stress off our backs,’ Barnhart said. “We can relax a little bit and start practicing some more difficult dives during the rest of the season to get ready for districts.’
In the boys meet, Coatesville (2-0 National, 3-0 overall) showed their longtime rival why they have been so successful the past few years. Liam Schroeder and Drew Furcon turned in strong performances, helping their team continue their early-season momentum.
Schroeder placed first in the 200 freestyle, and took second in the the 500 free and 200 free relay.
“It starts with training hard,’ Schroeder said. “We all work really hard in practice, and we always try to think about what we can do better. It really helps us a lot in our meets.’
Furcon won the 50 free, 100 backstroke, and was apart of the winning 200 medley relay.
“It is a team effort, not an individual thing,’ Furcon said. “To do well today helps the team, and hopefully gives us confidence as move along throughout the season.’
Head coach David Morris felt that the great start was key for this team to have success down the road.
“It definitely is a good start,’ Morris said. “I thought both the girls and boys swam well today. We still have a lot to work on, but we will continue to practice and get better.’
For the Whippets (0-1 National, 0-2 overall), Mark Miller made his senior season debut and did not disappoint the home fans. Miller took first in the 200 IM, the 400 freestyle relay, and blew out the competition in the 500 free. Miller won by 23 seconds in the 500 freestyle.
“Part of it was that I had few big meets for club this weekend. I just wanted to keep the momentum going today. I felt really good, and I was able to build off of it and post a good time today,’ Miller said.
Coatesville will travel to West Chester East, Friday at 7:30, at the West Chester YMCA. Downingtown West will go on the road to face Avon Grove, Friday at 4:30, at Lincoln University.
Girls Results
Downingtown West 97, Coatesville 54
200-yard medley relay — Downingtown West (Zaeyenga, Milam, Rauth, MacQueen) 2:04.14; 200 freestyle — K. Sears (DW) 2:01.35; 200 IM — Grenoble (DW) 2:17.40; 50 freestyle — Keithly (DW) 25.54; diving — Madonna (C) 201.70 ; 100 butterfly — Zaeyenga (DW) 1:07.42; 100 freestyle — K. Sears (DW) 56.01; 500 freestyle — Rauth (DW) 5:25.16; 200 freestyle relay — Downingtown West (Keithly, Rochon, Duncan, Grenoble) 1:45.68; 100 backstroke — Morgan (C) 1:12. 38; 100 breaststroke — Baker (C) 1:35.68; 400 freestyle relay — Coatesville (Bria, Harris, Mehl, Glass) 4:11.33.
Boys Results
Coatesville 114, Downingtown West 58
200-yard medley relay — Coatesville (Furcon, Asadi, Hammond, Brown) 1:41.33; 200 freestyle — Schroeder (C) 1:52.94; 200 IM — Miller (DW) 1:56.97; 50 freestyle — Furcon (C) 22.74; diving — Hemlock (C) 192.00; 100 butterfly — Hammond (C) 53.11; 100 freestyle — Brown (C) 52.59; 500 freestyle — Miller (DW) 4:43.68; 200 freestyle relay — Coatesville (Asadi, Nika, Stokes, Brown) 1:34.48; 100 backstroke — Furcon (C) :58.32; 100 breaststroke — Asadi (C) 1:10.27; 400 freestyle relay — Downingtown West (Herlihey, Trimble, Jenkins, Miller) 3:32.55.
