Norristown has banner day in pool while sinking Bensalem

WEST NORRITON — It has not been a great 2014-15 season for the Norristown swimming teams, but both the boys and girls picked up victories over Bensalem Thursday afternoon at Norristown Area High School.

“Times were OK, but everyone contributed,’ Norristown head coach Beth O’Neil said. “Everybody was here and it was a good win for the boys, they haven’t beaten Bensalem in a couple years. Girls seem to be a little bit stronger. It was a good meet for everybody.’

The Eagles, who improved their record to 2-12, were led by senior Thomas Brodoski on the boys side and Victoria Brousseau for the girls.

Brodoski, who is finishing his third year of swimming for Norristown, took part in four events in the meet against Bensalem. He won his two individual races (200-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle) and one relay (200-yard freestyle) and finished second in another relay (200-yard medley) to help the boys win, 71-59.

“I’m the one that does all of the distance,’ Brodoski said. “It takes a lot out of me, but I’m feeling really good about (how the meet went).’

The distance races seemed to be best-suited for Brodoski’s skill-set. He got stronger as the races went on and was able to help his team pick up points.

“You always have to try and persevere and keep that same momentum that you have and try not to lose that,’ he said. “You try to gain extra (momentum) from flip-turns or the pace of your opponent swimming right next to you.’

The 18-year-old Brodoski is a vocal leader on the sideline while his teammates are racing.

“I try and not take it seriously but I do,’ he said of his leadership. “A lot of people do cheer for each other… I try and be the most vocal guy in the house and make sure that I’m heard from.’

“Thomas is a great leader for the team,’ O’Neil said. “He is one of our team captains this year and really contributed at practice and pulled everybody together. He’s been swimming for me since he was five between summer, aquatic club and high school.’

Brousseau won all four of her events (200-yard medley, 50-yard freestyle, 400-yard freestlye and 200-yard freestyle medley) to lead the girls to a convincing 96-64 victory.

“Tori is strong in every event,’ O’Neil said.

Thursday marked the first time that Brousseau raced in the 400 free.

“It was an all right time,’ she said. “There is a lot of room for improvement, but there always is.’

The swimming teams will be losing a total of nine seniors (five girls and four boys) after this season and O’Neil knows that they are going to be hard to replace.

“Big void losing all these seniors for next year,’ she said. “Hopefully we get some freshman coming in. The team that’s left is dedicated.

“(The seniors) are good leaders. They are good academically and they are all involved between not only swimming but within the building and other activities. I look forward to them going off to whatever they do and coming back and they will fit into this community really well.’

The Eagles also had two girls dive in the middle of the meet. Carly Harrity finished with a score of 203.5 and Jackie Cegueda totaled 185.9.

Despite the win-loss column this year, O’Neil has reasons to be positive as the season comes to a close.

“We have good times,’ she said. “One of our divers made districts, so that is a good sign and times are dropping.’

“We have a lot of newer swimmers this year and I think they improved greatly,’ Brousseau added. “I know I’ve gotten some best times. Most of the swimmers here have all made best times.’

Norristown wraps up its season today with a 3:30 p.m. meet at home against Upper Dublin.