Reporter/Times Herald Area Girls Swim Preview
“Coming off another strong dual meet season a year ago, as well as several relay appearances at the PIAA meet, Souderton’s girls are geared up for what could be a very successful 2021 campaign,” Big Red coach Lou Williams said.
The Indians will be competing in the stacked Suburban One League Colonial Division, also the home of perennial power North Penn, Pennridge and Central Bucks West.
Said Bucks coach Vibeke Swanson: “We have a great number of swimmers new to the team that have been working hard in the time that we have had together. We are excited to watch them grow as swimmers and divers and we are certain they will make an impact to the team.”
North Penn and Liberty Division favorite Upper Dublin shared the PIAA-3A title last year and should once again be making a push come postseason time.
Lansdale Catholic, always a threat in Class 2A, will be seeing some new faces along the way.
“Obviously, COVID-19 practice restrictions have caused training issues and lack of dual meet competition will certainly be a question mark,” Crusaders coach Bob Birnbrauer said. “All Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) teams are now 2A, so past AAA strong teams Archbishop Ryan, Little Flower, Saint Hubert’s will join the 2A ranks.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Central Bucks West
Coach: Vibeke Swanson (30th season).
Last year’s record: 5-8.
Key performers lost: Natalie Yim, Caroline Stim, Samantha Remmey, Christina Cavalluzzo, Emma Bekes.
Key returners: Jessica Kuo, Sr., breast/IM; Julia Bowe, Sr., fly/breast; Abby Jenkinson, Sr., free/back; Riley Growney, Sr., distance free/IM; Hailey DeFazio, Sr., diving.
Others to watch: Devyn Growney, Jr., distance free/back; Leah Feldman, So., sprint free/breast; Faith Tomlinson, So., free/back; Audrey Hitchens, Jr.; Juliette Cavalluzzo, Jr., diver.
Lansdale Catholic
Coach: Bob Birnbrauer (25th season).
Last year’s record: 4-5 in the PCL.
Key performers lost: Mary Picozzi, district and state qualifier; Caroline Primus, district qualifier.
Key returners: Six swimmers return who were all district qualifiers: Emily Mc Govern, Faith Morrisey, Jordan Morrisey, Grace Picozzi, Brielle U’Selis and Brynne U’Selis. Brynne U’Selis was a district (12-2A) winner in both the 50 and 100 free events.
Others to watch: Elizabeth Conroy, Fr., Isabella Greco, Fr., Lauren Grello, Sr., and Madeleine McGovern, Jr., all look to be district qualifiers in 2021.
Strengths: Relay teams with three of four returnees could be strong. Brynne U’Selis returns with 50 and 100 district wins from last year.
Methacton
Coach: Stephanie Saucy (seventh season).
Last year’s record: 5-5 in the PAC.
Key returners: Alex Ferrance, Sr.; Emma Ginther, Sr.; Amanda Tsai, So.
Outlook: Ferrance brings districts experience and Ginther and Tsai look like they could join her there in 2021.
North Penn
Coach: Jeff Faikish (fifth season).
Last year’s record: 6-0 SOL Continental; District 1-3A Champs; PIAA-3A Co-Champs.
Key performers lost: Lizi Bakradze; Abigail Broadhead; Caroline Dunigan; Sophia Franco; Brigid Huebner; Grace McLaughlin; Abby Peters; Meghan Wenzel; Madalyn Freece; Nicole Chiappa; Olivia Toussaint.
Key returners: Charlotte Thamm, Sr.; Maddie Fritz, Sr.; Kaelan Daly, Sr.
Outlook: The Knights lost a ton to graduation but have some key pieces to be a threat once again in District 1-3A.
Pennridge
Coach: Jacob Grant (sixth season).
Key returners: Lauren Scott, Sr., 100/200 free; Adi Garges, Jr., 50-100 free/100 fly; Emily Myers, Jr., 100 breast/200 IM; Lea Preston, Sr., 50 free/100 fly.
Outlook: The Rams have some emerging swimmers that should build a decent roster for districts.
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Emily Thomas (fourth season).
Last year’s record: 0-10 PAC.
Key returners: Maggie Sullivan, Sr.; Haley Lindenmuth, Fr.; Maria Sounder, Fr., Victoria Sills, Fr.
Outlook: The Panthers should be an improved squad in 2021, with some young swimmers to build around.
Souderton Area
Coach: Lou Williams (third season).
Last year’s record: SOL Continental 5-1; Overall 8-2-1.
Key performers lost: Hailey Freed, Frankie Ferlick, Kayla Pike.
Key returners: Ellie Hiestand, Sr. Back/Breast; Ally Beldham, Sr. Diving; Abby Burns, Jr., Fly/IM; Alexis Krebs, Sr., Fly/Back.
Others to watch: Kelsey Donatelli, Jr., Distance Free; Amy Masciulli, So., Fly; Jess Burns, Fr., Breast.
Strengths: Depth in all events.
Question marks: How will a group of club-team-experienced freshman swimmers acclimate to high school swimming?
Spring-Ford
Coach: Greg Huff (second season).
Last year’s record: 8-1-1 PAC.
Key returners: Kasey Linton, Sr.; Anna Valerio, Jr.; Ashley Gutshall, So.; Maris Sadowski, So.
Outlook: The Rams surged to second in the PAC last year and should be in line to be in the hunt once again this winter.
Upper Dublin
Coach: Patrick Redican (eighth season).
Last year: SOL American Champs; District 1-3A Runner-Ups; PIAA-3A Co-Champs.
Key performers lost: Elle Braun, distance freestyle; Aly Breslin, IM/breaststroke; Grace Brennan, free; Sami Coccia, free.
Key returners: Molly Braun, Sr., fly/sprint free; Korinna Pesti, Jr., sprint free; Meghan DiMartile, Jr.; Erin Andrews, Sr., distance free/fly; Lexi Brown, Sr., diving.
Outlook: It was a landmark season for the Cardinals a year ago, and even though they lost some instrumental performers to graduation, they should again be a force in District 1-3A.
Upper Merion
Coach: Carson Bowes (third season).
Last year’s record: 4-7 in the PAC.
Key returners: Kaitlyn Miller, Jr.; Lindsay Yuen, Jr.
Outlook: The Vikings have some postseason experience on their roster and should also be competitive in the PAC race.
Wissahickon
Coach: Laurie Hug (13th season).
Key performers lost: Katie Sapozhnikov, 100 fly/200 IM/500 free; Julia Weiss, free; Karis Kim, 200 IM/free; Jaclyn Staub, 50/100 free; Tess Klugherz, diving; Lauren Donofrio, 200 IM/100 breast.
Key returners: Maddy Johnson, Jr., IM/100 free/100 breast; Julia Ronca, Sr., 100 breast/50-100 free/200 IM; Eunice Fu, Sr., 200 IM/100 fly/100 breast; Becca Valentine, Sr., free; Kayla Hartzell, Sr., free.
Outlook: The Trojans have a balanced roster and should be well-represented come districts.
