Upper Dublin flying into postseason
Souderton Area, LC, La Salle and Hatboro-Horsham ready to go
Upper Dublin finished its regular season in resounding fashion, both the boys and girls teams earning victories over rival Souderton Area.
Now the Cardinals can tighten their focus on a 29th consecutive conference title, as they prepare to compete in the Suburban One League American Conference Championships in two weeks.
“That’s been our goal since Day One,” said Upper Dublin’s Rebecca Pendleton. “It’s tradition, and as a senior, I know it’s one of the things that everyone on the team wants.
“I’m feeling great, I think a lot of my teammates are. So far we have a sizeable amount going to districts and I’m hoping that some other girls step up during Suburbans once we get to that taper time and they pull out that taper time and season bests.”
The Cardinals set a total of six pool records at Souderton Friday, indicating they could be in for quite a postseason. Pendleton was part of the record-setting 200-yard medley relay with Abbie Amdor, Aly Breslin and Molly Braun.
“We’re ready,” coach Pat Redican said. “We got things to do. A lot of work to do. But it’s now the fun part. Now the fun part starts.”
Souderton’s time of year
Big Red excelled in the postseason a year ago and once again looks primed for some big meets in February and March.
“It was perfect to have a real meet against a quality opponent like that, to see where we are,” Big Red coach Rob Faccenda said after Friday’s clash with Upper Dublin, which produced several fast swims by both squads, “and we’re excited about it.
“We’re fired up,” Faccenda said of the postseason. “We’re beaten down right now, but I think with the rest we’re gonna get this next month, we’re gonna be ready to go at districts. I expect great swims.”
Alexa Crossgrove had quite a meet Friday for Big Red, winning the 500 and leading off the winning 400 free relay. Jake Kramer won the boys 500 and swam the third leg of the first-place 200 free relay.
On a crusade
The Lansdale Catholic boys and girls teams have been busy putting the finishing touches on quite a regular season.
With victories over Bonner Prendergast and Cardinal O’Hara, the LC girls raised their record to 8-4 while the boys improved to 7-4.
Several performers stood out for LC.
On the boys side, Bryce
U’Selis took first in the 200 free (1:56.01) and 100 free (52.08); Austin Helmer was first in the 200 IM (2:31.29); Tyler Arsuaga was the 100 fly winner (1:03.36); and Cody Kulick took the 500 free (5:31.87).
For the Crusader girls, Brynne U’Selis touched first in the 50 free (27.69) and Hailey Gianoni raced to a victory in the 100 free (59.85).
Also for LC, the girls 200 free relay team of Colleen Costello, Hailey Gianoni, Brynne U’Selis and Mary Picozzi picked up a win in
1:53.67 and the boys 200 free foursome of Nicholas Picozzi, Joe Montagna, Cody Kulick and Bryce U’Selis was fastest with a 1:38.58.
Kevin Gianoni won the 100 back for the Crusaders in 1:06.20, Nicholas Picozzi got the 100 breast in 1:10.01, and the girls 400 free team of Mary Picozzi, Brynne U’Selis, Hailey Gianoni and Sara Murphy capped things off with a victory.
The girls team celebrated its Senior Day by honoring seven girls (Hailey Gianoni, Lauren Kristofco, Madeleine
Kulik, Josephine Lomorticello, Meghan Primus, Samantha Razzi and Julie Waller) and its two senior guys (Tyler Arsuaga and Nick Picozzi).
“Both the boys and girls teams are doing well this year as they begin gearing up for their District 12 and PCL Championships at the end of February,” coach Robert Birnbrauer said. “A review of individual performances and relay best times throughout the dualmeet season show both are poised for a good showing at the championship meets.
“A total of 10 girls and 10 boys so far have qualified for the District 12 Championships in multiple events.”
LC has one dual meet remaining, against Norristown at the North Penn YMCA on Thursday afternoon, before buckling up for the postseason.
Top performances
La Salle diver Will Seely should be one to watch in the big meets to come — his score of 535.10 on the onemeter board is still tops in the state this winter on paswimming.com.
Another name that appears on several top times lists is Hatboro-Horsham’s Andy Thomas, one to look out for in both the 100 and 200 free as well as the relays.