2021-22 Mercury Team-By-Team Boys Swimming Preview
Boyertown
Head Coach: Hannah Scheiry, first season
Last Year’s Record: 2-3
Swimmers to Watch: Kyle Engler, Sr.; Conner Stoudt, Sr.; Harry Tye, Jr.; Sebastian Emrick, Jr.
Outlook: Senior Conner Stoudt was an All-Area honorable mention in the 100 breast last season. A few others should vie for the postseason and help the Bears out in league meets under first-year coach Hannah Scheiry.
Daniel Boone
Head Coach: Chris Breedy, sixth season
Swimmers to Watch: Stephen McDevitt, Sr.; Nick Antolis, Jr.; Matt Ferenz, So.; Austin Snavely, So.; Tyler Ferenz, Fr.
Outlook: The Blazers graduated the most decorated swimmer in their program’s young history in three-time PIAA champion Chris Guiliano (Notre Dame) and a handful of other seniors who helped the program grow in recent seasons. Some new faces will help the program.
Hill School
Head Coach: Jay Spencer, eight total seasons
Last Year’s Record: 3-0 (virtual meets in spring)
Swimmers to Watch: Justin Toomey, 2022; Pat Patterson, 2022; Artem Kyselove, 2023; Shunji Lewandowski, 2024; Erick Sun, 2024
Outlook: The Blues didn’t compete last winter, instead participating in virtual races in the spring. As such, they lack meet experience but have some talented swimmers back in the pool this winter. “We are a young team without a great deal of depth,” coach Jay Spencer said. “We hope to make up for that with a big heart and enthusiasm. Several of our key swimmers have no competitive experience, having come to us from water polo. It is exciting to have the opportunity to watch them grow and to watch the team come together throughout the season.
Methacton
Coaches: Sarah Stevens, fourth season; Courtney Sheffer (assistant), first season
Last Year’s Record: 5-0
Swimmers to Watch: Tommy Gibbs, Sr.; Dylan Phan, Sr.; Christopher Groff, Jr.; Christian Lebold, So.
Outlook: Senior Tommy Gibbs returns as a two-time state qualifier in the 100 fly, an event he place fifth in at Districts last season. Junior Christopher Groff is another returning district qualifier, finishing 7th in the 100 back last season. Despite losing Jan Perez Bonilla (Ursinus), the Warriors’ medley relays should be strong.
Coach’s Thoughts: “Despite the small team this year, the boys are hopeful to maintain a good record in the PAC,” coach Sarah Stevens said. “Goals are set high for the team as a whole and individually. We gained a lot of newer swimmers this year and are looking forward to seeing the performances from them in the next two months.”
Norristown
Coaches: Beth O’Neil, 25th season; Frank Wills, first season
Last Year’s Record: No season
Swimmers to Watch: Jack Rosen, So.; Will LeBendig, Jr.; Nigel Parks, Jr.; Logan Hendricks, Jr.
Outlook: While the Eagles numbers are limited, coach Beth O’Neil is excited about the athletes she does have in the pool. “The team is very small this year due to not having a season last year,” O’Neil said. “Boys are eager to compete and we will be competitive in several events although we will have vacancies in some events.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coaches: Kevin Bott, 22nd season; Christopher Burns, 3rd season (assistant); Lindsay Staufenberg, fifth season (assistant); Rebekah Elliott, 10th season (diving)
Last Year’s Record: 5-0
Swimmers to Watch: Will Cano, Sr.; Conner Heft, Sr.; Anan Pothakamury, Sr.; Mark Flewelling, Jr.; Logan Richards, Jr.; Patrick Bowker, So.; Colin Davis, Fr.
Outlook: Senior Will Cano is the only returner from the Wildcats’ school record-breaking 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Cano was also one of a handful of returning District 1 qualifiers to the area. “While the team returns only three seniors, their leadership will be leaned upon by the other swimmers,” coach Kevin Bott said. “The younger athletes will be looking to continue their good progress from last year, and fill the voids left from the departing senior class. The team is working well together, and are very excited for the upcoming season.”
Perkiomen Valley
Head Coach: Mitchell Zackowski, fifth season
Last Year’s Record: 2-3
Swimmers to Watch: Jacob Replogle, Sr.; Ben Incollingo, Sr. (diving)
Outlook: Senior Jacob Replogle is the area’s top returning boys finisher, placing 3rd in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 free at last season’s PIAA Class 3A championship and winning gold in the District 1-3A 500 free. Classmate Ben Incollingo posted the league’s second-best diving score a year ago and made the District 1 meet in 2020.
Phoenixville
Head Coach: Dan Weinstein, 10th season
Last Year’s Record: 1-4
Swimmers to Watch: Leo Edmonds Doberenz, Sr.; Paul Florio, Sr.
Outlook: The Phantoms graduated more than 60 percent of their team, including Jack Hussin (Colorado College), who holds six team records. Senior Paul Florio will be versatile in the pool, and senior Leo Edmonds Doberenz will give a boost as a diver in meets. “The boys team is small this year, and is looking to develop a young team,” coach Dan Weinstein said.
Pope John Paul II
Head Coach: Emily Thomas, fifth season
Last Year’s Record: 0-4
Swimmers to Watch: Henry Phillips, Jr.; Hugh Trextler, Jr.; Aidan Maiale, So.; Howard Yang, Fr; Nathan DeMedio, So.
Outlook: After having his freshman postseason cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Henry Phillips finally had the chance to compete at the PIAA level in 2020-21, placing fourth in the Boys Class 2A 500 free. The junior captain is also a two-time district gold medalist. The Golden Panthers will have to replace the program’s first four-year senior class. “This team is filled with a lot of young fresh talent and we are looking forward to an exciting season ahead,” coach Emily Thomas said.
Pottsgrove
Head Coach: Alex Diehl, seventh season
Last Year’s Record: 0-5
Swimmers to Watch: Declan Keener, Jr.; Nathan Jorgensen, Sr.
Outlook: Junior Declan Keener was a qualifier in the 50 and 100 free at the District 1-2A championships last season and has two more seasons to build off. Senior Nathan Jorgensen was in the district field two seasons ago and looks to get back this season.
Spring-Ford
Head Coach: Jack Graham, first season
Last Year’s Record: 1-4
Swimmers to Watch: Devon Dayrit, Sr.; Adam Drover, Sr.; Jacob Dourte, Sr.; Owen Burry, Jr.; Cameron Wilson, Jr.; Patrick Baganski, So.; Collin Behl, So.; Dylan Dayrit, So.; Shaun Drover, So.; Kyle Kruppa, So.; Keegan Pence, So.; Zach Reiter, So.; Barsam Berenji, Fr.; Ben Brucker, Fr.; Jack Miscavage, Fr.; Nathan Reagan, Fr.; Blaise Sadowski, Fr.
Outlook: Seniors Adam Drover and Jacob Dourte will be leaders for the group, and sophomores Patrick Baganski and Dyal Dayrit will be two to keep an eye on as the Rams try to compete in the PAC under first-year coach Jack Graham, who previously spent 18 seasons at Perkiomen Valley from 1996-2014. “The team will be led by seniors Adam Drover and Jacob Dourte and sophomore sprinter Patrick Baganski,” Graham said. “They should be competitive in every PAC dual meet that they swim this season and hope to look toward a finish at the top. A lot of attention will be on trying to get relays and individuals to districts and maybe even to states.”
Upper Merion
Head Coach: Corey Besz
Last Year’s Record: 4-0
Swimmers to Watch: Jack Larkin, Sr.; Bennet Liney; Trevor Liney; Luca Baicoianu; Kyle Roseland
Outlook: The Vikings graduated all four members of last year’s PIAA-qualifying 200 medley relay, but return District 1 qualifier Jack Larkin (200 free). Look for several others to make their names throughout the season in a program that’s had very strong finishers in the last few seasons.
Upper Perkiomen
Head Coach: Brien Kalnoski, ninth season
Last Year’s Record: 5-0
Swimmers to Watch: Josh McKelvy, Sr.; Eric Harter, Jr.; Nolan McCloskey, Fr.; Andrew Kelly, So.; Hunter Francisco, Fr.
Outlook: The Indians graduated PIAA qualifier Sean Lyman and don’t have any returning qualifiers from last year’s reduced District 1 field. Coach Brien Kalnoski expects his team to compete in the league and see some more faces back at the district meet. “With the addition of some depth from the underclassmen, we look to be competitive in the PAC this season,” Kalnoski said.
– Compiled by Owen McCue,
ommccue@pottsmerc.com
