Souderton overcomes Wissahickon on Trojans’ Senior Day

LOWER GWYNEDD >> It was a fitting way — and place — for Souderton to cap off its dual-meet season.

“We had some really nice times, considering our week and our North Penn meet on Tuesday,” Big Red coach Lou Williams said. “I think the facilities alone gave our kids a little boost.”

The Indians flourished in their trip to Wissahickon’s spacious natatorium, complete with its 10-lane pool, and scored a pair of non-conference victories to go hustling towards the upcoming postseason.

The Big Red boys prevailed 116-70 and the Souderton girls were 106-80 winners over the Trojans.

“We had a couple of kids — despite a tough week — swim lifetime-best times,” Williams said, “which is a good sign for where we’re at.”

Austin Graham won the 50-yard freestyle for the Indians and also swam on the winning 200 free and 400 relays. Robbie Ferlick won the 100 fly and anchored both the medley and 200 free relays.

Drew Stephens was also busy, winning the 100 free and leading off the 200 free relay and also anchoring the 400 free relay.

Matt Masciulli was the 100 back winner for Big Red and swam the third leg of the 200 medley and 400 free relays.

William Leyland won the 100 breast and took care of the second leg of the 200 medley relay.

The Big Red girls were just as impressive.

Jordyn Grossman won the 50 free and anchored the winning 200 medley relay. Abby Burns won the 100 free and led off the winning 400 free relay.

Frankie Ferlick was the 100 back winner and swam on the winning medley and 400 free relays. And Ellie Hiestand took care of the 100 breast and the second leg of the 400 free relay.

It took this kind of effort to overcome an inspired performance by Wissahickon on Senior Day.

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With balloons, cakes and photo-filled poster boards adding to the scenery, the Trojans were at their best on Thursday.

“The kids did really well,” Wissahickon coach Jonathan Faikish said. “Today was a big opportunity for us to swim against a really good team, push us to the next level, which is what we did.

“We have two very strong seniors and then everybody is just following in their direction. The freshmen and sophomore classes are big and it was a great way for them to swim really fast – a lot of time drops today. Big-time drops with a couple seconds here and there.”

Seniors Anthony Schoppe, Griffin Bowers and Katie Sapozhnikov definitely had their day for Wiss.

Schoppe won the 200 free and 500 free, Bowers was first in the 200 IM, and Sapozhnikov beat everyone in the girls 200 IM and 100 fly, and she also swam on the winning 200 free relay.

“The seniors are an absolutely spectacular group. There are three seniors for the swim team and one senior for the boys diving team (Aiden Bruno, fourth place). All four of them are strong leaders, day in and day out in practice, morning and night,” Faikish said. “There’s not much more you can say other than they’re the best group of seniors I’ve had in a very long time.”

Overall, the Trojans had one of their finest performances of the season.

“It was great. We had a lot of individual wins,” Bowers said. “We did have a tough loss but overall we did our best and had a lot of personal-best times. It was a good show for us.

“I’m liking (where I am) a lot right now. I have one automatic district cut and two considerations, and I’m excited to see what I can do in the future.”

Schoppe is also looking forward to a big postseason.

“(Today) was a good test for us because everyone had pretty close times. So it pushed us all to get our best times.

“I wanna drop time and get my cuts better, but for the team I want to see us get as many kids as we can to districts.”