North Penn gets ready to defend District 1-3A titles

North Penn swam and dove to the Suburban One League Continental Conference titles last week, beginning the postseason in impressive fashion.
Now, the focus becomes the District 1-3A Championships, and another possible title defense for the Knights.
“It’s the time for celebration, but it’s the time where the coaches have mini heart attacks over the next couple weeks trying to get ready to go up there,” North Penn coach Jeff Faikish said. “Our district is one of the most dominant in the state so the competition there is the best competition you’ll see anywhere.
“It makes it awesome for our kids because they know that if they can compete with the kids in our district meet, they can compete at the state level.”
It all starts with the diving.
The boys event will be held Friday evening, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and then the girls will be held Saturday morning, starting at 10:30.
Both events are at North Penn.
The scene will then shift to La Salle University on March 1 and 2.
The girls AA and AAA swim competition will be held from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. that Friday, followed by the boys in the afternoon from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Day Two takes place that Saturday, with the girls competing from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. followed by the boys from 4-7:30 p.m.
“It’s gonna be a fun time,” Faikish said, “and fortunately these kids grew up in our aquatic club programs and our U.S. programs. We swim meets down at La Salle so we have experience in that pool.”
The North Penn boys are going for a district three-peat while the girls aim for their seventh consecutive crown.
The Knights liked where they were at following the conference championships.
“A lot more to come hopefully,” said North Penn’s Ryley Fein. “We’re working towards the ultimate goal, which is states of course, and I think we’re just gonna keep the momentum riding hopefully.”
The countdown is on.
“I’m excited to see what the end of the season holds but I’m also really nervous,” Faikish said. “This is that time of the year where I just wanna make sure that we do things right for the kids so that they can perform to the best of their ability, or exceed their own expectations.
“And that’s ultimately what the goal is: get these kids to believe in themselves, to outperform their own thoughts and expectations of themselves.”