2021 Mercury Team-By-Team Girls Swimming Preview

BOYERTOWN

Head coach: Bill Draves, sixth season

Last year’s record: 8-2 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Gabrielle McKee, Sr.; Angie Nelson, Sr.; Katherine Kummerer, Jr.

Outlook: Senior Gabrielle McKee will look to make her fourth straight appearance at the PIAA championships this season, after finishing fifth in the 500 free and 11th in the 200 IM last season. District qualifiers junior Katherine Kummerer (200 free) and senior Angie Nelson (200 IM, 100 breast) also return for the Bears from last year’s third place team.

DANIEL BOONE

Head coach: Chris Breedy, fifth season

Last year’s record: 1-5 Central Penn League

Swimmers to watch: Erin Goudie, Sr.; Hannah Santos, Jr.; Rachel Bozenhard, Jr.; Amy Schafer, Jr.; Shailla Mejia, Fr.; Megan Schultz, Fr.

Outlook: Senior Erin Goudie was a district qualifier in the 100 fly for the Blazers last season. Several others Boone swimmers return with experience with some talented freshmen also ready to score points this season.

Coach’s thoughts: “With any luck Daniel Boone will be a contender in the CPL to win many dual meets for the boys’ and girls’ teams,” Chris Breedy said. “Great returning athletes, a diver and a very strong freshman class bode well for the future of Daniel Boone swimming.”

METHACTON

Head coach: Stephanie Saucy, seventh season

Last year’s record: 5-5 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Alex Ferrance, Sr.; Emma Ginther, Sr.; Amanda Tsai, So.

Outlook: Senior Alex Ferrance was a District 1 qualifier for the Warriors in the 100 fly a season ago. Senior Emma Ginther (200 free, 500 free, 50 free) and sophomore Amanda Tsai (100 back) are other top returners for Methacton.

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Head coach: Kevin Bott, 21st season

Last year’s record: 10-0 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Kendall Obara, Sr.; Kaily Zakarevicz, Jr.; Lauren Zelinske, Jr.; Eliana Crew, So.; Natalie Spencer, So.

Outlook: The Wildcats finished off their fourth straight undefeated PAC season, claiming a fourth consecutive league title in the process a year ago. Senior Kendall Obara (100 breast), juniors Lauren Zelinske (200 free, 100 back) and Kaily Zakarevicz (500 free), and sophomores Eliana Crew (200 IM, 100 free) and Natalie Spencer (50 free, 100 free) are returning district qualifiers.

Coach’s thoughts: “The girls’ team graduated six athletes, including District qualifiers Mikayla Niness, Izzy Moes, and Meredith Mutter, however, the team returns several talented swimmers and divers who are looking to take the next step in their progression,” Kevin Bott said. “They had a great first week of practice and we are excited for the return back, as the group is hard-working and supportive of each other.” 

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Head coach: Mitchell Zackowski, fourth season

Last year’s record: 5-4

Swimmers to watch: Ashley Derrick, Sr.; Emily Hinz, Sr.; Gabby Filzen, Jr. (diving); Ella Dittmar, So.

Outlook: Junior Gabby Filzen has won the first two PAC diving championships and finished seventh at the District 1-3A championships a season ago. Senior Ashley Derrick  was a district qualifier in the 100 back.

Coach’s thoughts: “For our girls’ team we have swimmers that are very strong in each event.  It will be exciting to see all of them compete,” Zackowski said.

PHOENIXVILLE

Head coach: Dan Weinstein, ninth season

Last year’s record: 7-2-1 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Erini Pappas, Sr.; Penelope Pappas, Sr.; Sarah McCarthy, Sr.; Kenzie Padilla, Fr.

Outlook: Seniors Erini and Penelope Pappas are set to cap off their terrific careers together along with classmate Sarah McCarthy. Erini Pappas was a finalist in both the 100 fly and 100 back at the PIAA Class 3A championships in 2020. Penelope Pappas (100 back) and Sarah McCarthy (100 breast) are returning district qualifiers.

Coach’s thoughts: “The Lady Phantoms return a large and versatile senior class led by Erini Pappas, state qualifier/medalist in the 100 fly and 100 back,” Dan Weinstein said. “(Last year’s) PAC champs in the 200 medley relay, the Phantoms hope to continue a long trend of strong medley relays.”

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Head coach: Emily Thomas, fourth season

Last year’s record: 0-10 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Maggie Sullivan, Sr.; Haley Lindenmuth, Fr.; Maria Sounder, Fr., Victoria Sills, Fr.

Outlook: This is the Golden Panthers’ third season competing in meets. The team finished out last year’s PAC championship with a number of personal best times and a few school records.

Coach’s thoughts: “Senior Maggie Sullivan will play a large role in guiding the underclassmen,” Emily Thomas said. “This season we add a staggering number of strong freshman girls to our roster including Haley Lindenmuth, Maria Sounder and Victoria Sills. … On the girls side look to build upon the accomplishments of last season and hopefully surpass them.”

POTTSGROVE

Head coach: Alex Diehl, sixth season

Last year’s record: 1-8 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Alaina Christ, Sr.; Molly Krock, Jr.

Outlook: Junior Molly Krock narrowly missed a medal in the 100 breast at the District 1-2A championships last season, finishing fourth. Krock also competed in the 200 IM at districts, while senior Alaina Christ (100 fly, 100 back) is another multi-event district competitor returning for the Falcons.

SPRING-FORD

Head coach: Greg Huff, second season

Last year’s record: 8-1-1 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Kasey Linton, Sr.; Anna Valerio, Jr.; Ashley Gutshall, So.; Maris Sadowski, So.

Outlook: Spring-Ford’s second place finish was one of the Rams’ best in recent memory. Sophomore Ashley Gutshall, a PIAA qualifier last season, set the Rams’ 50 free record as a freshman and was part of three record-setting relays along with classmate Maris Sadowski.

Coach’s thoughts: “We are hoping to continue the success we experienced last year, despite graduating many of our top swimmers from last season,” Greg Huff said. “We have a good number of talented underclassmen who will be leading the way for our team this season. … Much of our strength over the past few years has been the flexibility of our girls to switch events around to match our opponents, and we hope to continue to be able to compete at a high level.”

UPPER MERION

Head coach: Carson Bowes, third season

Last year’s record: 4-7 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Kaitlyn Miller, Jr.; Lindsay Yuen, Jr.;

Outlook: Junior Lindsay Yuen finished third in the 100 breast at the District 1-3A championships as a sophomore before making the finals of the event at the PIAA championships. Junior Kaitlyn Miller (100 free) was also a district qualifier last year.

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Head coach: Brien Kalnoski, eighth season

Last year’s record: 5-5 PAC

Swimmers to watch: Kayman Heater, Sr.; Devin Romanowski, Sr.; Laura Cooney, Sr.; Caitlyn McKelvy, Sr.; Darragh Martin, Jr.; Mia Hang, Jr.

Outlook: Seniors Kayman Heater (200 free, 500 free), Laura Cooney (200 IM, 100 back) and Caitlyn McKelvy (100 back) and junior Darragh Martin (200 IM, 100 back) and Mia Hang (200 IM) and Devin Romanowski (50 free, 500 free) were all District 1-2A qualifiers a season ago. Romanowski, Martin and Heater were set to swim relays at states before the PIAA championships were cancelled.

– Compiled by Owen McCue