Big day for Klein, North Penn boys as Knights capture SOL Colonial crown

TOWAMENCIN >> North Penn’s postseason began amidst a flurry of fist bumps, smiles and, of course, fast times, as the Knights raced to the Suburban One League Colonial Division Title Friday night at a packed Rick Carroll Natatorium.

“We had so many awesome swims today, I am very proud of these boys,” Knights coach Jeff Faikish said. “Today was awesome, fantastic. It was a very good way to start the postseason. So many kids made district cuts. Our lineup for districts is definitely getting full.”

North Penn swept the relays and got a gold-medal swim from senior Scott Klein in the 100-yard breaststroke, allowing the Knights to stand tall atop an outstanding division.

Connor Mangan of Central Bucks West won gold in the 200 free in 1 minute, 47.30 seconds and teammate Blaise Hofmann raced to first in the 100 back in 54.10, giving the Bucks plenty to cheer about as the postseason unfolded.

The Knights were ready, and full of surprises.

Said Faikish: “That’s why you get into the profession of coaching is to help these kids achieve successes they don’t even know they’re capable of. ”

At the heart of North Penn success was Klein, who has created a wonderful problem.

In addition to beating all comers in the 100 breast, in 59.86, Klein has now qualified for not one, not two, but every district swim event, so the only question is, where to put him.

“I had one event every other year, and this year I got all of them because I went to every morning (practice) and I worked hard in and out of the pool and I stayed focused on swimming,” the senior said.

“If you work really hard at something, you really can achieve great things,” Faikish said, using Klein as the consummate example. “And he has done all of that. He’s come to more morning practices than any kid. He has worked so hard to achieve this, and it’s a beautiful thing to see somebody get the success because they worked so hard for it.”

Klein also anchored home the winning 400 free relay to victory, as the Knights capped the meet in resounding fashion. Mason Potts, Aidan Faikish and Robert Freece swam the first three legs to ensure NP touched first in 3:09.13.

Earlier, North Penn’s medley relay of Potts, Nathan Wauls, Nathan Rawa and Jadyn Manning dashed to a first-place time of 1:36.45, and later the 200 free relay of Potts, Manning, Freece and Faikish hammered out a 1:26.50 for another gold.

North Penn’s relays looked primed for the stretch run.

Said Klein: “That’s us pushing each other. We’re on each other’s necks at practice, telling each other to go faster and making sure no one slacks off. In the relays, you can tell we’re there for each other.

“I’m really happy with this team right now. Everyone’s doing their best and we’re having good times. I wish I could have more years on this team, but I’m excited to see what they’re gonna do and see what we’re gonna do this year.”

Klein is having his best swims of the winter.

“I’m really happy with where I’m at, considering this was the hardest two weeks of practice I’ve had in a while,” the versatile standout said. “So we’re tired, and we’re going into taper tired, so I think that only means good things, and I’m excited for these championship meets.

“Last year, we didn’t have morning practices (due to the pandemic), and this year, I took advantage of it: five mornings a week. I was tired at times, but it was worth it. And it’s gonna be worth it. It was fun seeing each other race. It was really good to see the team motivate each other so we could reach our top times.”

William Stanczewski came through for Souderton in the 200 free, racing to a silver, and teammates Drew Stephens (100 free) and Robbie Ferlick (100 back) also surged to second in their respective races.

Ferlick teamed up with Matvey Andryushin, Logan Freed and Stephens for a second place in the 200 free relay.

CB West’s Hofman, Derek Feldman, Mangan and Austin Wakefield pushed to a silver in the 200 medley relay, and Feldman dug deep for a silver in the 100 breast.

Other gems for NP included a two-three finish in the 200 IM (Potts, Freece) and 100 fly (Owen Fritz, Alex Burns), as well as Faikish’s silvers in the 50 and 500 freestyles. Manning got a bronze in the 100 free and Fritz did the same in the 100 breast.

“It was an overall great meet for the entire team,” coach Jeff Faikish said. “When you throw diving from Wednesday on top of it, it was a very complete league meet for North Penn. Our divers did wonderful, our swimmers did fantastic, and we had some really fast relay times out there today.”