2021 Mercury Team-By-Team Boys Swimming Preview

BOYERTOWN

Head coach: Bill Draves, sixth season

Last year’s record: 10-0 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Noah Vivian, Sr.; Conner Stoudt, Jr.

Outlook: After finishing second for three straight seasons, the Bears were a perfect 10-0 in the PAC last year, winning their first league title in a decade. The Bears graduated two state qualifiers from a season ago, but have a few back in the mix from last year’s championships squad. Senior Noah Vivian was a district qualifier in the 100 butterfly and swam legs on two league champion relays for Boyertown in 2019-20. Junior Conner Stoudt was an All-PAC honorable mention in the 100 breaststroke last season.

DANIEL BOONE

Head coach: Chris Breedy, fifth season

Last year’s record: 2-4 Central Penn League

Swimmers to watch: Chris Guiliano, Sr. ; Justin Eves, Sr.; Jackson Peterson, Sr.; Jesse Wounderly, Jr.; Nick Antolis, So.; Matt Ferenz, Fr.

Outlook: Senior Chris Guiliano, the 2019-20 Mercury Boys Swimmer of the Year and recent Notre Dame commit, comes into his final season with a PIAA gold medal (200 free) and bronze medal (100 free) already in his pocket. Senior Justin Eves (100 free, 50 free) and junior Jesse Wounderly (100 back, 200 IM) were both multi-even district qualifiers a year ago and swam in the 200 free relay with Guiliano at states.

METHACTON

Head coach: Sarah Stevens, third season

Last year’s record: 6-4 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Jan Perez-Bonilla, Sr.; Ryan Valle, Sr.; Dan Chimes, Sr.; Tommy Gibbs, Jr.; Dylan Phan, Jr.; Christopher Groff, So.

Outlook: Junior Tommy Gibbs became the first Warriors boy to qualify for states in four years, earning a spot in the 100 fly in 2019-20, while sophomore Christopher Groff set the school record in the 100 backstroke a year ago. Jan Perez-Bonilla (200 free, 100 fly) was also a district qualifier a season ago.

Coach’s thoughts: “Despite being an extremely small team this year, we have a lot of leadership from our senior and junior class to shape the way for the new swimmers joining us this season. … Last year, we only had one district-level swimmer graduate. The rest of the boys who qualified for districts are still on the team this year. Our relays are still strong, having all boys return again this year.”

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Head coach: Kevin Bott, 21st season

Last year’s record: 8-2 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Joe Feiser, Sr.; Dalton Fink, Sr.; Jonah Kasnzay, Sr.; Nathan VanNatter, Sr.; Will Cano, Jr.; Logan Richards, So.

Outlook: Seniors Joe Feiser (100 breast), Dalton Fink (100 fly, 100 back), Jonah Kasnzay (200 IM, 100 breast), Nathan VanNatter (200 free, 100 breast), Will Cano (50 free, 100 free) and sophomore Logan Richards (500 free) made districts for OJR last season, which finished third in the PAC. Fink was a PIAA finalist in the 100 back and 100 fly, finishing eight and sixth, respectively.

Coach’s thoughts: “The boys return a strong core of athletes from last year’s team, with only graduating one senior, Will Blackledge,” Kevin Bott said. “There is a nice blend of both talent and leadership, and the group is motivated and hard-working. We are looking forward to the return back to practice, and continuing the positive start the team had.”

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Head coach: Mitchell Zackowski, fourth season

Last year’s record: 5-5 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Jacob Replogle, Jr.; Christopher Continelli, Sr.

Outlook: Junior Jacob Replogle went to the finals of both the 500 free (eighth) and 200 free (12th) at the 2019-20 PIAA Class 3A Championships after finishing second and sixth in each event, respectively at districts.

Coach’s thoughts: “We are looking forward to a strong season this year,” Mitchell Zackowski said. “We have a few new swimmers from the Perkiomen Valley Aquatic Club that will add to our depth and continue to build the core of our high school program. For the boys team we have a very strong distance freestyle group and strong Individual Medley group.”

PHOENIXVILLE

Head coach: Dan Weinstein, ninth season

Last year’s record: 3-7 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Jack Hussin, Sr.; George Pappas, Sr.; Ryan Harth, Sr.; Paul Florio, Jr.

Outlook: Seniors George Pappas (100 back) and Jack Hussin (200 free, 500 free) both qualified for districts a season ago along with two Phoenixville relay teams. Hussin also qualified for states in the 500 free during a breakout junior season and holds three individual team records in addition to all three team relay records.

Coach’s thoughts: “Like several other teams in the PAC without their own facility, the Phantoms have lessened practice time as a result of coronavirus restrictions and online/hybrid school bell schedules,” Dan Weinstein said. “The Phantoms return a strong senior class, led by senior Jack Hussin, state qualifier in the 500 freestyle … and hope to return a strong medley relay to district competition.”

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Head coach: Emily Thomas, fourth season

Last year’s record: 1-8 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Henry Phillips, So.; Josh Murtaugh, Sr.; Kevin Bleam, Fr.; Aidan Maiale, Fr.; Nathan DeMedio, Fr.; Michael Fiore, Fr.

Outlook: Sophomore Henry Phillips put together an impressive freshman campaign for the Golden Panthers in 2019-20, winning the 500 free and finishing third in the 200 free at the District 1-2A championships. He qualified for states in both events, but the PIAA Class 2A championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senior Josh Murtaugh (200 IM, 100 breast) is another returning district qualifier for PJP.

Coach’s thoughts: “The talent in this year’s freshman class will be sure to elevate our overall team success,” Emily Thomas said. We look forward to another strong district showing and hopefully state run. … The hope is that we can get back to the states and finish what we started last season and build on that momentum.”

POTTSGROVE

Head coach: Alex Diehl, sixth season

Last year’s record: 0-9 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Declan Keener, So.; Nathan Jorgensen, Jr.

Outlook: Sophomore Declan Keener made an impact as a freshman last season, placing sixth in the 200 free and 10th in the 100 free at the District 1-2A championships. Junior Nathan Jorgensen was also a district qualifier a year ago, swimming in the 50 free.

SPRING-FORD

Head coach: Greg Huff, second season

Last year’s record: 11-1 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Brendan Baganski, Sr.; Sam Ricci, Sr. (swimming/diving); Andrew Cubbler, Sr.

Outlook: The Rams were narrowly edged by Boyertown, spoiling an undefeated season and a potential league title. Senior Brendan Baganski, who currently holds four school records, was a medalist in the 50 free at district and a finalist at states. Seniors Andrew Cubbler (100 back) and Sam Ricci (Diving, 50 free) are also returning district qualifiers. Ricci was the PAC diving champion as well.

Coach’s thoughts: “We are hoping to continue the success we experienced last year despite graduating many of our highest point scorers last season.  We have refilled our squad with a number of talented underclassmen who are ready to contribute to our team right away. … We are going to be strong in the sprint events, and return three of the guys on our sprint relay from last year.  We will continue to have great depth on our team, which should make a difference in close meets.”

UPPER MERION

Head coach: Corey Besz

Last year’s record: 6-3 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Andrew Hoy, Sr.; Michael Lemishko, Sr.; Cody Nguyen, Sr.; Jack Larkin, Jr.

Outlook: The Vikings followed their 2018-19 league title with a fourth place finish in the PAC last season. Upper Merion had four swimmers compete in multiple events at district in Jack Larkin (200 free, 500 free),Cody Nguyen (50 free, 100 free), Michael Lemishko (100 fly, 100 back), Andrew Hoy (100 fly, 100 back). Lemishko also made the 100 fly finals at states.

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Head coach: Brien Kalnoski, eighth season

Last year’s record: 4-6 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Sean Lyman, Sr.; Kevin Kovalenko, Sr.

Outlook: Upper Perk’s four league wins in 2019-20 were the most since 2012-13. In their second season competing at the Class 3A level, Upper Perk sent three individuals to districts. Two of UP’s district qualifiers return in seniors Kevin Kovalenko (100 breast) and Sean Lyman (200 IM, 500 free). Lyman placed in the Top 10 in both events, finishing sixth in the 500 free and ninth in the 200 IM.