North Penn seniors shine in regular-season finale with Pennsbury
TOWAMENCIN >> Kailyn Evans was getting closer and closer as the season went on, at one point coming within 15 hundredths of a second of the North Penn pool record in the 200-yard IM.
Wednesday afternoon, it was time to get her name up on the big board.
“It was my last time ever swimming in a meet in this pool,” the senior said of the non-conference battle with District One rival Pennsbury, which packed in fans from both sides. “I came so close to the record a couple weeks ago and figured it was time to go out and get it.”
Evans raced to a record-finish of 2 minutes, 5.67 seconds, replacing the previous record held by Emmaus and Notre Dame grad Mikelle Masciantonio as well as Central Bucks East’s Hannah Wittman (both with a 2:05.75) as North Penn swam and dove to a thunderous regular-season finale at the Rick Carroll Natatorium.
Evans also went on to win the 100 breast and she swam on both the winning 200 medley and 400 free relays as the North Penn girls wrapped up an unbeaten dual-meet season with a 102-74 victory over the Falcons while the boys also finished a perfect 10-0, defeating Pennsbury 95-83.
“The kids responded really well to Senior Night,” said North Penn coach Jeff Faikish, who had 17 seniors honored during the evening. “It’s one of those bitter-sweet things where the seniors are super excited to get to this point and then immediately as the last race finishes, you can see the look on their faces change to ‘oh my gosh, it’s over.’
“There was excitement, there was sadness, there was a mixed bag of emotions. But all very positive. And I told the freshmen to take a look around because before they know it, it’ll be their time to stand up here.”
Several outstanding efforts poured through for the Knights, including that of senior diver Ian Boland Bintner and senior Heather Hartmann, who outlasted everyone in the 500 free.
Sophomore speedster Claudia Thamm (50/100 free) snagged a pair of victories for the Knights in a complete effort.
Pennsbury’s Connor Doyle had a strong meet, tops in both the 200 free and 500 free for the Falcons.
“We had a lot of really good times and we solidified some district slots, which is exactly what we need to do,” Faikish said. “And now is the fun time.”
The postseason gets started Feb. 15 with the SOL Continental Diving, held at North Penn at 6 p.m., and then the swimming portion shifts to Central Bucks South for the boys on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. and back to North Penn for the girls on Feb. 18 at 9 a.m.
Top Photo: North Penn’s Claudia Thamm does the butterfly in the 200 yard medley relay during meet against Pennsbury during their meet on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. (Gene Walsh/Digital First Media)
