GIRLS SWIMMING TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEW

BOYERTOWN

Head Coach: Hannah Scheiry, first season Last Year’s Record: 2-3

Swimmers to Watch: Tamara Engler, So.; Elli Ferraro, Jr.; Katherine Kummerer, Sr. Outlook: For the first time in four seasons the Bears will be without multi-talented Gabby McKee (Ohio) in their lineup. First-year coach Hannah Scheiry returns sophomore Tamara Engler, a District 1 qualifier in the 100 back who didn’t get the chance to compete due to COVID-19 issues. Senior Katherine Kummerer was a District 1 qualifier in 2020.

DANIEL BOONE

Head Coach: Chris Breedy, sixth season Swimmers to Watch: Shaila Mejia, So.; Amy Schaefer, Sr.; Hannah Santos, Sr.; Kayla Kritschil, Sr.; Rachel Bozenhard, Sr.; Megan Schultz, So.

Outlook: Sophomore Shaila Mejia was a District 3 qualifier (100 back) in 2020-21, and will help lead an up-and-coming Blazers squad in 2021-22.

HILL SCHOOL Head Coach:

Jay Spencer, eight totals seasons

Last Year’s Record: 3-0 (virtual meets in spring)

Swimmers to Watch: Kiersten Dagg, 2022; Mallory Horner, 2022; Anna Schlegel, 2022; Ella Scott, 2022; Summer Lam, 2023; Annie Gaither, 2024; Ella Grindle, 2024 Outlook: The Blues have an experienced group, including senior Kiersten Dagg (William & Mary), who set school records as a freshman and sophomore before last year’s COVID-impacted year. “We have a strong group of seniors who have been together for years,” coach Jay Spencer said. “They are hoping to make up for lost time from last year. We also have several promising young swimmers to round out the team. We don’t have a great deal of depth, but we do have flexibility, as there are few specialists on the team.”

METHACTON

Head Coach: Tori Rosa, first season

Last Year’s Record: 2-2

Swimmers to Watch: Sophia Leber, Sr.; Amanda Tsai, Jr.; Madison Wimmer, So.; Truly Sommer, Fr.

Outlook: Sophomore Madison Wimmer is a returning District 1 qualifier (500 free), leading a young group for the Warriors. She’ll concentrate on the 100 and 200 free and 200 IM on a youthful Warriors’ squad. “This is a rebuild year,” first-year coach Tori Rosa said. “We will see strong performances and a few district and one state qualifier. As always you want your individual swimmers to hit season best times. … All of the freestyle events 50, 100, 200 and 500 will prove to be strong events for us.”

NORRISTOWN

Coaches:

Beth O’Neil, 25th season; Frank Wills, first season

Last Year’s Record: No season Swimmers to Watch: Katie Mocarsky, Sr.; Rachel Phan, Sr.; Brooke Pendleton, Sr.; Lauren LeBendig, Fr.

Outlook: The Eagles did not have a season last year, so this will hopefully be a season of growth as they get reacclimated to the pool. “A lot of new swimmers with very little competitive swim experience,” coach Beth O’Neil said. “Girls are working hard and will be competitive in some events with gaps in other 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: Lauren Zelinske, Sr.; Eliana Crew, Jr.; Mackenzie Gorman, So.; Emory Horn, So.; Natalie Spencer, Jr. Outlook: Senior Lauren Zelinske (200 free, 100 back) and Eliana Crew (50 free, 100 free) were multi-event District 1 qualifiers even in 2021’s reduced field. The Wildcats haven’t lost a PAC meet since 2015-16. Mackenzie Gorman (200 IM), Emory Horn (200 IM, 100 free) and Natalie Spencer (50 free, 100 fly) all had top three times in the PAC. “The girls return a majority of the team that swam and dove last season, including individual District qualifiers Lauren Zelinske and Eliana Crew,” coach Kevin Bott said. “There has been a good blend of freshmen that have joined the mix, which have added to the team chemistry. The group is energetic, motivated to do well, and are excited to have a full season of meets.”

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Head Coach: Mitchell Zackowski, fifth season

Last Year’s Record: 2-3

Swimmers to Watch: Samantha Grayauskie, Sr.; Olivia Palubinski, Sr.; Gabby Filzen, Sr.; Ella Dittmar, Jr.; Elyse Tancini, Jr.; Camryn Beers, Jr.; Hadley Mardis, Jr. Outlook: Senior Gabby Filzen is a dualthreat in the pool and on the diving board, and the Vikings return several other key seniors and juniors, including Samathana Grayauskie and Ella Dittmar. Elyse Tancini and Olivia Palubinski made up half of the Vikings’ All-PAC 400 free relay.

PHOENIXVILLE

Head Coach: Daniel Weinstein, 10th season

Last Year’s Record: 4-1

Swimmers to Watch: Kenzie Padilla, So.; Maddy Deeney, Fr.; Lauren Harth, Jr.; Hadley Mardis, Jr.

Outlook: Despite the loss of about 70 percent of last year’s squad, the Phantoms should field a strong team once again in 2021-22. Sophomore Kenzie Padilla finished fourth in the 100 fly at the PIAA Championships, while freshman Maddy Deeney is expected to follow in her footsteps by making an immediate impact. The Phantoms’ 200 medley relay has qualified for districts every year since 2010, and hopes to continue that trend this year. “Led in the water by Padilla and Deeney, the Lady Phantoms are a large team with strong leadership from captains Lauren Harth and Hadley Mardis, both juniors,” coach Daniel Weinstein said. “Of the nearly 30 swimmers, only one is a senior; they hope to develop a deep and versatile squad of swimmers who will compete at a high level in the PAC for years to come.”

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Head Coach: Emily Thomas, fifth season Last Year’s Record: 0-4

Swimmers to Watch: Haley Lindenmuth, So.; Maria Souder, So.; Tori Sills, So.; Shae Gonzales, Fr.; Molly Houchin, Fr.; Aubrie Moore.

Outlook: The Golden Panthers have a young core to replace their first four-year senior class. Sophomore Haley Lindenmuth finished 8th in the 100 free at last season’s District 1-2A championships. “This team is filled with a lot of young, fresh talent and we are looking forward to an exciting season ahead and the roles each of them will take on this season,” coach Emily Thomas said. “There is not just one position that will alone give us strength this season. Instead I look forward to seeing the team as a whole come together and improve meet by meet.”

POTTSGROVE

Head Coach: Alex Diehl, seventh season Last Year’s Record: 0-4

Swimmers to Watch: Bayley Richard; Sarah Chapman; Regina Greco; Zoe Winterbottom; Jayden Dorris

Outlook: The Falcons didn’t have any District 1 Class 2A qualifiers in last season’s reduced field, but Bayley Richard was a consistent scorer last season and is off to a good start in 2021-22 with wins in the 200 free and 100 back in the Falcons’ first meet.

SPRING-FORD

Head Coach: Jack Graham, first season Last Year’s Record: 4-1

Swimmers to Watch: Ashley Gutshall, Jr.; Maris Sadowski Jr.; Sydney Koehler, So.; Abby Koehler, Fr.

Outlook: The Rams have another strong team in place after last year’s 4-1 season. Junior Ashley Gutshall finished sixth in the 50 free at last season’s PIAA Championships, while Sydney Koehler (200 IM) and Maris Sadowski (100 back) were All-PAC performers. “The Rams have a number of frontline swimmers led by Gutshall, Maris Sadowski, Sydney Koehler and incoming freshman Abby Koehler,” coach Jack Graham said. “They also will have depth from seniors Anna Valerio,Sydnee Bennett, Evelyn Stogdale, Ali DeSante, and Elizabeth Bates. Juniors Cierra Griffith, Izzy Royer, sophomores Lexi Elsner, and Leah Koons, freshmen Kaia Griffith, Alexandra Parsia and Barcley Trotter.”

UPPER MERION

Head Coach: Carson Bowes

Last Year’s Record: 2-1

Swimmers to Watch: Lindsay Yuen, Sr.; Emily Burke, Sr.; Kaitlyn Miller, Sr.; Ashley Evitts, Jr. (diving/swimming); Abby Yuen, So.

Outlook: The Vikings were a young team on the rise two seasons ago, and now have a very strong, seasoned core back to compete in the PAC in 2021-22. Senior Lindsay Yuen was a sixth-place finisher in the 100 breast at last season’s District 1-3A championships, and junior Ashley Evitts was the PAC’s top diver a season ago. Yuen and fellow seniors Kaitlyn Miller and Emily Burke made up three-quarters of two All-PAC relays (200 free, 200 medley) a season ago.

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Head Coach: Brien Kalnoski, ninth season Last Year’s Record: 1-3

Swimmers to Watch: Mia Hang, Sr.; Darragh Martin, Sr.

Outlook: Senior Darragh Martin is a threetime District 1-2A qualifier and returns to the Indians after a fourth and fifth place finish at last year’s District 1 meet. Martin and classmate Mia Hang, who placed sixth in the 200 IM at districts a year ago, will lead the Indians in the pool.