Taking the plunge

Local squads eager to make a big push in 2019

Upper Dublin swam to its 29th consecutive Suburban One League American Conference title last winter.

It’s pretty clear-cut what the focus for this winter is.

“Goal number one is to win a 30th consecutive SOL Championship and then challenge for top three honors at districts and states,” coach Pat Redican said. “We have great team numbers, including 18 freshmen and a veteran core with districts and states experience. The question mark is how will all the “newbies” fill in?”

The North Penn girls could be vying for a third state title in four years come March, led by an outstanding diving group headed by Paige Burrell.

Souderton Area likes the youngsters it has coming in.

“A strong freshman class has led to increased expectations,” first-year head coach Lou Williams said. “Junior Hailey Freed returns as a 2018 PIAA medalist in the 200 free relay and should challenge for a pair of individual event appearances in 2019.

“A versatile swimmer, she will provide the spark for the Indians this season. The Indians will be tested during one of the strongest dual-meet schedules around. This year’s team will face District

One title contender Upper Dublin (1-3) before meeting North Penn at home on Jan. 29.”

Following is a team-byteam look at the area.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Vikye Swanson (27th season).

Last year’s record: 4-8.

Key performers lost: Katie Button, Riley Thompson, Abby Slaymaker, and Bridget Naylor. Key returners: Samantha Seiden, Sr., fly/ IM; Emily Grill, Sr., distance free/ IM; Jessica Kuo, So., breast/ back/IM; Natalie Yim, Jr., fly/free; Christina Cavalluzzo, Jr., free/breast; Samantha Remmey, Jr., distance free/ back; Rebecca McPherson, Sr., diving; Julia Cullen, Jr., diving. Others to watch: Abby Jenkinson, So., free/back; Julia Bowe, So., fly/breast/ IM; Riley Growney, So., distance free; Caitlin Mulligan, Sr., back/IM; Emma Bekes, Jr., distance free/ fly.

Strengths: Free and fly. Question marks: We are a team of sophomore and juniors not a lot of seniors or freshman. Outlook for the season: Hoping for lots of improvements in our individual events and hope to get relays and individuals to the district meet.

Gwynedd Mercy Academy

Coach: Heather Norman (15th season).

Key performers lost: Katie Caputo; Alaina Zaki, Sr., fly/free; Aileen Murray, So., breast/IM;

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO North Penn’s Paige Burrell is one of the top divers in District 1 this season.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Upper Dublin’s Abbie Amdor is one of the top swimmers returning in the area this season.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Paige Burrell ( North Penn) competes at the PIAA District One Girls Diving Championship Feb. 25, 2017. Anna Gola, Sr., sprint freestyle; Maura Toner, Sr., IM/back; Brigid Toner; Lauren McGee.Key returners: Annie O’Dare, Sr., IM/breast; Nicole Sasso, Jr., sprint free; Elyse Landry, Sr.; Christina Kilcoyne, Jr.; Ella Fall, So.Lansdale CatholicCoach: Bob Birnbrauer (24th season).Last year’s record: 9-5, 6-2 Philadelphia Catholic League. Key performers lost: Hailey Gianoni; Lauren Kristofco; Madeleine Kulik; Joey Lamorticello; Meghan Primus; Samantha Razzi; Julie Waller.Key returners: Seniors — Colleen Costello, free/back; Sara Murphy, all-around; Jacqueline Kossey, diving; Juniors — Mary Gunder, free; Mary Picozzi, free; Caroline Primus, all-around; Sophomores — Lauren Grello, free; Elizabeth Gunder, free; Madison Loeffler, all-around; Emily McGovern, all-around; Madeleine McGovern, free; Brynne U’Uselis, free; Freshmen — Caroline Kerr, all-around; Grace Picozzi, free. Strengths: The team is young with good experience gained from last season. Three members of the 4x100 relay team return from their District 12 win and state meet competition. Season outlook: The girls will do well in the dual-meet season but will need those that just missed district cuts last year to add to the list of district team qualifiers. Seven returnees from last season were part of the district team.MethactonCoach: Stephanie Saucy (fourth season).Key returners: Victoria Zang (Sr.) 100 fly/200 free; Sara Fleck, Sr., 100 fly/200 IM.North PennCoach: Jeff Faikish (third season).Last year’s record: 12-0, SOL Continental Champs; District 1-3A Champs; PIAA-3A State Champs.Key performers lost: Maura Christian; Caroline Gillespie; Abbe Greene; Emily Henry; Maddy Koerper; Rosalinda Rivera; Maeve Wydan; Megan Zartman. Key returners: Paige Burrell, Sr., diving; Caroline Dunigan, Jr., sprint; Maddie Freece, Jr., diving; Katelyn Harkrader, Sr., sprint/back; Parker Schulz, Sr., free; Claudia Thamm, Sr., utility; Meghan Wenzel, Jr., diving.PennridgeCoach: Jacob Grant (fourth season).Last year’s record: 2-7.Key performers lost: Morgan Scott (Indiana University).Key returners: Erin Shema, Jr., 100 fly/back/200 IM.Others to watch: Bryana Burke, Fr., 200 IM/100 fly; Lauren Scott,Fr., Ian Livengood, Sr. Question marks: A lot of holes to fill this year, but have some young talent that is looking to step up and fill some key roles. Coach Grant says: “Pennridge is looking to improve its times from last year and qualify more kids to the district swim meet this year.”Souderton AreaCoach: Lou Williams (first season).Last year’s record: 8-2, 5-1 SOL Continental.Key performers lost: Jenny Rogers, fly/free; Alexa Crossgrove, free.Key returners: Hailey Freed, Jr., back/free; Gabrielle Fortier, Sr., free; Ellie Hiestand, So., IM/ breast.Others to watch: Anna Goodman, So., breast; Hannah Christie, Jr., IM; Ally Beldham, So., diving; Abby Burns, Fr., free/IM; Kayla Pike, Fr., fly/free. Strengths: The addition of 11 experienced freshman swimmers has added depth to the Indians’ list of strengths in 2018-19. Although untested in HS competition most of the 11 incoming freshman have USA Swimming and Suburban Aquatic League success.Question marks: The loss of three of four PIAA relay members leaves quite a few holes to fill. The Indians’ postseason success will depend on which of their underclassmen is able to step up into those high pressure spots.Upper DublinCoach: Pat Redican (seventh season).Last year’s record: 10-1, 6-0 in SOL American.Key performers lost: Rebecca Pendleton, butterfly, IM sprint freestyle (Saint Francis University), Samara Cheifetz backstroke, butterfly (LaSalle University). Key returners: Abbie Amdor, Sr., All freestyle events; Liz Medvedev, Sr., breaststroke/IM; Lia Wilmoth, Sr., breaststroke/IM; Tina Haig, Sr., diving; Elle Braun, Jr., distance free; Aly Breslin, Jr., breaststroke/IM; Laura Pendleton, Jr., butterfly/sprint free; Molly Braun, So., sprint free. Others to watch: Sami Coccia, Jr., IM/free; Meghan DiMartile, Fr., backstroke; Korinna Pesti, Fr., sprint free.WissahickonCoach: Laurie Hug (10th season).Key returners: Carly Zlotnikoff, Sr., free; Karis Kim, Jr., 200⁄500 free, 200 IM; Katie Sapozhnikov, Jr., 100 fly/200 IM/500 free; Maddy Hippensteal, Jr., 100 breast/IM; Tess Klugerz, Jr., diving.Others to watch: Julia Weiss, Jr., 200-500 free; Lauren Donofrio, Jr., IM/100 breast; Jaclyn Staub, 200-500 free; Julia Ronca, So.; Jillian Garvey, So.; Kayla Hartzel, So.