North Penn’s Bobby Freece is Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media 2021 Boys Water Polo Athlete of the Year
Whenever North Penn needed a lift, senior Bobby Freece was there.
His versatility a key for the Knights down the stretch, this year’s Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Athlete of the Year for Boys Water Polo helped fuel NP’s state-championship run.
“It’s an amazing group. This group is special,” Freece said of his squad. “I’m so happy I was able to be a captain and help lead this team. I hope I can come back here in future years and watch them have the same success that we had. I’m so excited for the future for this team.”
Freece was a force on the offensive end and a stopper as well.
Said coach Jason Grubb: “Bobby’s really been doing it for us, playing double duty – defensive hole and offensive hole as well.”
“It was scary. Everybody was biting their nails,” Freece said of the intense state final against La Salle. “But we went in our huddle and said ‘we’re up. The pressure’s on them, not us.’ (Coach Jason) Grubb did a great job keeping us under control and we just took it home and we finished.”
North Penn’s Bobby Freece (standing, holding plaque) was a driving force in NP’s run to the state title.
Freece’s goal in the final moments of the third quarter was pivotal for the Knights in their 7-6 victory.
His leadership and settling presence were a key for North Penn all year long as the Knights gained more and more momentum.
“I think the chemistry’s amazing,” the senior said after a victory over rival Souderton Area. “We’ve all known each other since we were younger. We all played on the same team, all played middle school water polo together. So all of us being together, we’re starting to click a lot. I’m really excited to see what the future’s gonna hold.”
It all culminated with a win in the state final, and Freece was at the heart of it.
“It feels amazing. Everybody worked really hard,” he would say afterwards. “It was a well-deserved win for us. Our opponent was great. They played amazing. But we wanted it more, and we played deep and strong.”
