Conestoga leads a strong pack of Chesco swimmers into upcoming District 1 3A boys championships

Conestoga leads a strong Chester County pack of swimmers who are competing in the District 1 3A Boys Swimming Championships beginning today at the York County YMCA.
The Pioneers, who finished second last year (behind North Penn), feature junior Jake Wang, who was named the Boys Swimmer of the Meet at last winter’s Districts. Wang is seeded first in the 200 IM and 100 breast (which he won at Districts last year) and is part of the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay teams that are seeded first.
Other standouts include Can Yeniay (seeded first in 200 free and 500 free), Brock Whitaker (seeded 2nd in 100 fly and 6th in 100 free), Noel Park (seeded 7th in 500 free) and Andrew Zhang (seeded 8th in 200 free).
The 200 medley relay team, seeded 1st, consists of Yeniay, Wang, Whitaker and Zhang (alternates – Hutch Wood, Justin Cuevas Riego de Dios, Brennan Stigall, Stanley Cui). Their 400 free relay, seeded 1st, consists of Wang, Whitaker, Zhang and Yeniay (alternates – Cui, Wood, Cuevas Riego de Rios, Park). The Conestoga 200 free relay consists of Cui, Cuevas Riego de Dios, Park and Wood (alternates – Zhang, David Ivory, Weston Clark, Bradley Zhang).
Wood is seeded 17th in the 100 free and 20th in the 100 fly. Andrew Zhang is seeded 15th in the 500 free and Cui is seeded 18th in the 100 breast.
Here’s a look at how the rest of the Chester County teams look as they head into the District 1 3A boys swimming meet:
Avon Grove: The Red Devils feature a promising young swimmer in sophomore Nate Kidder (seeded 5th in 50 free, 8th in 100 fly). Another key swimmer to watch is senior Jacob Texter (seeded 6th in 500 free, 11th in 200 IM).
“We are looking to having some nice time drops at Districts this weekend,” said Avon Grove head coach Kelly Burk.
Downingtown East: The Cougars, whose depth enabled them to post an undefeated record in dual meets (9-0) this winter, have a number of swimmers who will be competing at districts. Leading the charge include junior Gabe Carroll (seeded 11th in 100 free, 27th in 50 free), freshman Sam Sperling (seeded 17th in 200 IM, 30th in 100 fly) and sophomore Matt DiAddezio (seeded 29th in 100 breast). The Cougars 200 medley relay team is seeded 17th, and both their 200 free relay team and 400 free relay are seeded 20th.
Downingtown West: The young Whippets will feature freshman Shane Martin. Martin, who posted a district consideration time in the 200 IM, is seeded 40th in the 100 back.
Great Valley: Sophomore Patrick Li has qualified in two events — the 200 IM (seeded 25th) and the 100 fly (seeded 39th).
“Patrick demonstrates consistency and enthusiasm,” said Great Valley head coach Ashlyn Marabella. “I know he will bring the energy to the pool and I am looking forward to seeing what else he has in store for Districts.”
Kennett: The Blue Demons have two relays that are seeded 21st – the 200 medley relay of Luke Myers, Erik Floren-Smith, Gabe Summa and Alex Fialkowski (alternate Quin Williams) and the 200 free relay of Myers, Summa, Floren- Smith and Fialkowski (with Williams as alternate). Floren-Smith is seeded 24th in 100 free, 39th in 50 free. Summa is seeded 31st in 100 fly, 38th in 100 back, and Myers is seeded 28th in 100 back.
“Gabe Summa has been swimming consistently all season and we are excited at seeing him drop time after his taper this week,” said Kennett head coach Cindy Millison. “Our medley relay is also expected to drop time since none of the boys have been rested or tapered for the event this season.”
Millison also praised Sam Kjelstrom, who became the first Kennett boy to reach the District 1 diving championships, where he finished 17th last weekend and set the new Kennett boys 6 dive record with a score of 211.90.
“His performance last weekend is exceptional, since he is new to the sport, has not had any gymnastics training and has only been diving for one year,” said Millison.
Oxford: The Hornets’ participant is senior Alex Karahalis, who is seeded 5th in the 100 fly and 10th in the 100 breast. Last year at districts, Karahalis finished 1st in 100 fly (49.32) and 2nd in 100 breast, and went on to place 4th in the 100 fly and 5th in 100 breast at states.
Unionville: Top Longhorn seeds include senior Matt McLellan (seeded 10th in the 100 back), and senior Ernesto Solana (seeded 19th in 200 free, 22nd in 500 free).
“Most of our swimmers will be rested and focused on this meet so we are hopeful to move up in our standings,” said Unionville head coach Mike Mangan. “We have been practicing hard through the other meets and have faced injuries this season. Despite this, we are healing well and hopeful to make States.”
West Chester East: The Vikings swimmers include Nate Schwarz (seeded 28th in 200 free, 30th in 500 free), Gavin Heffernan (seeded 34th in 500 free) and Giuliano Bucciarelli (seeded 22nd in 100 back, 26th in 100 fly).
West Chester Henderson: The Warriors will be led by sophomore Eddie Stoltz (seeded 6th in 50 free, 5th in 100 back), junior Vedant Bedekar (seeded 14th in 200 free, 19th in 100 back), sophomore Finn Lukens (seeded 11th in 100 breast, 38th in 50 free), freshman Sean Dillon (seeded 25th in 200 free, 33rd in 500 free) and sophomore Colin Smolders (seeded 29th in 500 free, 34th in 200 IM).
“Similar to our girls group, our boys group going to Districts is young overall too,” said Henderson head coach Jeff Bott. “For some swimmers it will be their first time competing in the meet and we essentially have all underclassmen swimming. Some did get experience swimming at Districts last season and hopefully those swimmers can draw on that experience to help them perform to the level they are capable this year.”
The Warriors’ 200 free relay is seeded 7th, the 400 free relay 12th and the 200 medley relay 15th.
West Chester Rustin: The leading Golden Knights are sophomore George Harkins, who is seeded 22nd in the 100 fly, and junior AJ Chapman, who is seeded 20th in the 100 back.
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Bishop Shanahan will compete in the 2A championships. The Eagles’ roster includes Matthew Carpenter (seeded 8th in 50 free, 13th in 100 free), Owen Eusemann (seeded 14th in 50 free), Jayden Snook (200 and 400 free relay, 1st alternate 200 IM), Hunter Hughes (200 free relay) and Eamon Welsh (400 free relay). The 200 free relay team is seeded 8th and the 400 free relay foursome is seeded 7th.
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Devon Prep be in the District 12 championship meet at LaSalle University. The Tide swimmers participating in individual events will be senior Reagan Megow (50 free, 100 free), senior Gavin Smith (200 free, 100 breast) and sophomore Giovanni Notaro (50 free). The 200 medley relay will consist of Megow, Smith, junior James Simpson and sophomore Adam Palermo. The 200 free relay will include Simpson, Adam Palermo, Sean Palermo and Notaro. The 400 free relay squad consists of Megow, Sean Palermo, Notaro and Smith.