La Salle’s Sannem Montgomery All-Area Swimmer of Year

Jake Sannem is now swimming with the legends.
“It’s incredible. Everyone that has been honored with that award has been such an inspiration to me over the years,” he said of winning Swimmer of the Meet honors at the PIAA Championships. “I’m really excited to get that award.
“I know there were a lot of great swimmers who had phenomenal meets and I’m excited I was able to be a part of that.”
Chants of “Jake” starting to pour down on the deck of Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium, Sannem was crowned king of the meet, having set unbeatable standards in both the 200 free (1:34.76) and 500 free (4:21.63).
Chosen as Swimmer of the Year, Sannem takes his talents to USC next fall.
“The 500 is an event where it’s a really tough race and you kind of just go with it,” Sannem said of the event he set the state record in with a 4:19.64 in 2016. “You kind of see how you can do. I was really excited to defend that title.”
Sannem took the final few strokes to capturing state gold in the 200 free. He was a silver medalist as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
“It’s kind of cool because each of those years, they were all teammates of mine,” Sannem said of Chris Devlin and Michael Jensen. “They were on the Upper Dublin high school team but I train with Upper Dublin Aquatic club when I’m not at La Salle, so it was nice to be able to train with those guys.
“And now I feel like it’s my time to step up, and kind of inspire some of the younger swimmers to keep a great tradition in the 200 free.”
Sannem also helped power the Explorers to State Runner-Up honors.
“I was really happy with how the meet shaped up for everyone,” Sannem said. “The whole La Salle team swam so great and I’m really excited to be a part of it and help lead them to such a great end to the season.”