DLN girls swimming preview: Unionville, Downingtown East, Henderson and Conestoga looking strong again

Last winter, four Chester County high school teams – Unionville, Downingtown East, West Chester Henderson and Conestoga – finished in the top 10 at the PIAA Class 3A state girls swimming championships. These four teams return a solid core of swimmers – including Downingtown East junior Alexa Fulton, the 2021 Daily Local News Swimmer of the Year.
Here’s a look at the Chester County high school girls swimming teams as they start the 2021-22 season:
Unionville, which finished fourth at States last winter, will be led this season by sophomore Izzy Iwasyk and senior Emily Albans. As a freshman, Iwasyk finished second in the girls 50 free at the PIAA Class 3A state championships, where she also was part of three top Longhorn relay teams (200 medley relay – third; 200 free relay – sixth; 400 free relay team – eighth). Albans was a key part of the Longhorns’ 200 and 400 free relay teams at States.
Mike Mangan returns to coach the Longhorns after serving as head coach from 2000-2002.
“We’re excited to have Emily’s senior leadership as well as her swimming abilities in the freestyle and butterfly events,” said Mangan. “Izzy is excited to have her first normal high school swim experience after a COVID-shortened freshman year. She’s hopeful about her 50 and 100 freestyle events.
“We were league champions for both the boys and the girls the last time I coached at Unionville, and the team has mentioned they wish to achieve this goal once again. What I’ve noticed about this team is that they are focused and goal-oriented while supporting each other and have been very willing to adapt to the changes to swimming competition that have been required due to the pandemic. This is the largest team I’ve ever coached with 31 returning swimmers (boys and girls) and 12 new freshmen.”
Downingtown East, which finished fifth at States last winter, are now led by junior Alexa Fulton, the Daily Local News 2021 Girls Swimmer of the Year. Last winter, she captured gold medals in the girls 50 free (22.72) and girls 100 free (49.69) at the PIAA 3A state championships, as well as gold medals in both events at the District 1 3A championships, where she was named Swimmer of the Meet.
Another key returning Cougar is junior Victoria Maki, who was part of D-East’s fifth-place 200 free relay team and sixth-place 400 free relay team at States last winter. Other Cougars to watch include junior Cady Kiebort (freestyle), sophomore Reya Petrick (backstroke), freshman Melanie Liu (freestyle, breaststroke) and sophomore Finley Mulhern (breaststroke, IM). Top divers include multisport athletes Courtney Jefferis and Gabby Aceto.
Downingtown East first-year coach Sean Wyatt said, “Our leading strength is our returning juniors and our strong new freshman additions. Our biggest challenge is the limited practice space and time. Our primary goals for the season are improving our strokes and building a team atmosphere that will push us towards success while developing our young swimmers in our program.”
West Chester Henderson, which finished eighth at States last winter, return the powerful senior trio of Krista Marlin, Rylee Kelly and Katie Simpson. Marlin finished third in the girls 100 back and placed fifth in the girls 200 free at the PIAA 3A state meet last winter. Kelly finished fifth in the girls 500 free at States. Marlin, Kelly and Simpson were part of two fourth-place relay teams at States.
Other Warriors to watch include junior Shannon Gamble (freestyle and breaststroke), who was a part of both fourth-place relay teams at States; and sophomore Natalie Krauss (freestyle and butterfly).
“The team has a nice blend of veteran talent and leadership on both sides and also a nice group of incoming freshmen which will hopefully add skill and depth,” said West Chester Henderson coach Jeff Bott. “We have a young squad; 32 of the girls are underclassmen. As we return to the dual meet schedule, we’re looking forward to seeing how the entire team does in this format.”
Conestoga, which finished 10th at States last winter, and captured the PIAA District 1 3A championship as well as the Central League crown, return many key swimmers this season.
Junior Lily Robinson finished fourth in the girls 50 free (23.78), and ninth in the girls 100 free at States last winter. Senior Delaney Burns finished 10th in the girls 500 free at States last winter, and in the process broke a school record that was Conestoga’s oldest swimming record. Junior Naomi Furman was 11th at States in the girls 100 breast. Robinson, Burns and Furman were part of Conestoga’s second-place 400 free relay team and the sixth-place 200 medley relay at States last winter, and junior Audrey Laganelli was part of the second-place 400 free relay team. Both the 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay achieved All-American recognition last year.
Other Conestoga swimmers to watch include diver Grace Gallagher (placed 5th at Districts last winter), freshman diver Avery Hillier, senior Kallie Whitaker (was a member of the Pioneers’ sixth-place 200 medley relay team at States last winter) and sophomore Jenna Nowoswiat.
“Our overall team depth is amazing,” said Conestoga head coach Rob Kirkby. “We have a lot of very talented swimmers and divers that will make the team competitive. Our biggest challenge will be keeping everyone healthy and focused to have a fun and exciting dual meet season, and focus on the end-of-the-season meets when it is time to do that.”
Avon Grove head coach Kelly Burk said,“This is the largest girls’ team that we have fielded in almost five years. We have a very versatile group of sophomores and freshman this season. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do together. We are hoping to have relays and several individuals qualify for Districts.”
Leading swimmers for the Red Devils include senior Sophia Paglia (sprint free), senior Marissa Civatte (free/breast), sophomore Ava Pfaff (free/fly), sophomore Lily Perrin (back/fly), sophomore Alena Kurtz (diving) and freshman Kaitlyn Burk (IM/free/fly).
Great Valley’s leading swimmers are senior Avery Chalfant (50 free, 100 free), junior Reese Barron (50 free, 100 free), senior Kylie Maher (100 back, 100 free), sophomore Molly Fultz (100 free, 200 free, 500 free) and senior Annette Dileo (100 breast).
“We have a talented core group of returning swimmers,” said Great Valley head coach Kyle Turner. “The biggest challenge is that we just do not have the numbers to fill every lane for each race. The girls are going to have put quality swims in every time they step up on the block and I have every bit of confidence in them that will happen.
“The team is really excited to have a somewhat normal season again. It was not the same without the fans, the cheering, and the competition in the lane next to you last year. The goal is we go into every meet with a positive attitude focusing on swimmers bettering their times and having consistent improvement throughout the season. If we can do that, the swimmers will achieve their individual goals, most importantly have some fun and hopefully we’ll get some wins along the way.”
West Chester East swimmers to watch include senior diver Sarah McHugh, sophomore Taiylor Tegler (breaststroke and IM) and sophomore Samantha Heiland (freestyle and backstroke).
“Our team has good depth,” said West Chester East head coach Beth Carozza. “It will be a challenge for every team in adjusting to swimming in post pandemic, with a regular dual meet schedule.”
Kennett has a promising swimmer in freshman Madison Skrypzak (freestyle events and butterfly).
“Our best athletes in the pool are also the stronger athletes outside of the pool,” said Kennett head coach Cindy Millison. “Our biggest challenge this year is lack of lane space for practices. YMCA Covid protocols still restrict the number of athletes we can practice together. Leading strengths: Our team captains are strong leaders and the teams are very motivated and happy to back to a somewhat normal competitive season. We have four divers (boys and girls) this year, which is a big deal.”
For Coatesville, sophomore Macey Speakman is the top returning swimmer. She earned District 1 consideration in the 100-breaststroke last winter. Other key returnees are sophomore Anna Hilman and juniors Kierstyn Lloyd and Alison Scheivert. Other girls to watch are freshmen Lauren Harris and Ava Stewart.
Coatesville head coach Logan Storm said, “We have a variety of athletes that bring a lot to the table, they’re strong swimmers and it’s going to be a fun season. Our best team strength is camaraderie, everyone works well together. We have a young team – which is a challenge in itself – that has a lot to look forward to while trying to navigate COVID protocol. The main thing I want for the Raider swimmers this year is to grow as athletes, grow as young adults, and have fun.”
Oxford features an extremely small squad of only four swimmers, some of whom are new to the sport.
“Our strength this year is our teamwork,” said Oxford head coach Chrissy Reinard. “The experienced swimmers are taking the novice swimmers under their wing and making them feel welcome and helping them anyway they can. They have been helping teach strokes, drills, and other swimming skills. The new swimmers have a great amount of potential and are really focused.”
“The camaraderie the team has this year is unparalleled to any we have had in the past,” said Reinard. “Our goals this season are to continue to build on our team camaraderie, grow the program, develop our beginner swimmers, and help our experienced swimmers put up their best times. If we accomplish that we will have a successful and fun season despite our small numbers.”
Villa Maria Academy is led by senior captain Hannah King, who will be featured mainly in the 200-100-50 freestyle events. Senior diving captains Morgan Kelly and Peyton Kintzley lead a strong diving team.
“We are hopeful that we can qualify four divers for districts – Morgan and Peyton, along with senior Kylie Krumenacker and junior Mary Cate Doughty,” said Villa Maria swim coach Fritz Schumann.
“Overall, we have a solid team with some freshmen that we hope will become strong contributors.”
Downingtown West, under first-year coach Stacy Vansant, returns seniors Grace Dennin, Rachel Kaczmarski and Alicia Littler (and Caroline Shannon supporting in the role of team manager due to surgery). Other Whippets to watch are junior Callie Ritter (butterfly), sophomores Caroline Cusack (backstroke) and Leah Lacovara (freestyle) and freshman Cooper Jones (breaststroke).