Upper Dublin puts on classic performance at home invite
UPPER DUBLIN >> Members of the Upper Dublin girls swim team came together once more, huddled behind a big banner displaying the message, “PIAA Girls Swimming Coach of the Year, Patrick Redican.”
“He deserves it. There’s no one that deserves it more,” Cardinal senior swimmer Laura Pendleton said of her coach. “I’ve never had a coach that’s as personable as he is. It’s really neat that he coaches us as a full person, not just a swimmer.”
Redican’s honor was part of a big day for Upper Dublin, which played host to the annual Cardinal Classic in impressive fashion.
The Cardinals are coming off a season in which they surged to State Runner-Up, with Redican leading the way.
“All of the girls are really excited about it. And he’s so humble about it,” Pendleton said of Redican’s Coach of the Year nod. “For a while, he didn’t even know about it. And it’s really refreshing to see that. He’s such a great role model for the entire team. Everyone looks up to him. It’s really incredible and I’m really happy for him.”
Upper Dublin has long been the powerhouse in the Suburban One League American Conference and last year was second in both District 1-3A as well as PIAA-3A.
“It’s a great honor. It really is, and I’m very humbled by it because the coaches that I’ve coached against and have won this award, I never really considered myself in their class,” Redican said. “It’s also an honor for the program, for the team, because it isn’t just one person that does this.”
Multiple Wins
Upper Dublin got off to a fast start with a victory in the 200 medley relay, a team of Meghan DiMartile, Aly Breslin, Molly Braun and Korinna Pesti combining to go 1:45.85.
The Cardinals also got first places from Breslin (200 IM/100 breast), Molly Braun (100 fly), Elle Braun (500 free) and Meghan DiMartile (100 back).
To cap things off, the 400 free relay team of Laura Pendleton, Elle Braun, Meghan DiMartile and Aly Breslin raced to first in 3:30.30.
“It was a great meet,” Redican said. “That means more to me than anything. I saw a lot of smiles coming out of our girls, and that’s the best award.”
Upper Dublin wants to continue its 2019 success all the way through this season.
“Last year was special but this year’s gonna be special too,” Laura Pendleton said. “I’m looking forward to it. I think last year was a turning point for us. The whole team is excited and we have some freshmen coming in that are surprising.”
Getting It Done
Also from the area, Hatboro-Horsham’s Vivi Vergara won the 200 free and outlasted everyone in the 500 free.
The Upper Dublin boys 200 medley relay team of Jake DiMartile, Matt Jensen, Kyle Pro and Jared Kressman finished first in 1:32.74. Pro won the 200 IM, and Jensen won the 100 fly and 100 breast. The Cardinal 200 free relay was first, with a team of Jensen, DiMartile, Pro and Jared Kressman.
The La Salle boys had plenty of moments, including their victory in the 400 free relay with a foursome of Liam Smith, Connor Goodyear, Harry Hearn and Alex Patti.
Patti won the 200 free and Smith won the 100 back for the Explorers.
