Big start for Big Red

Souderton sweeps rival Hatters

FRANCONIA >> Souderton Area did not want to forget about last year.

“It’s very competitive. Last year, we lost on the last relay,” said Big Red’s Hailey Freed of the annual meet with Hatboro-Horsham. “(It motivated us) a lot. We really tried to make every race our best.”

Big Red came out on top this time around, putting together an impressive overall performance for a 110.5-75.5 victory over the rival Hatters Tuesday.

The Souderton boys also were victorious, topping the Hatters 116-70.

“I felt pretty good for it being the beginning of the season — a little tired, but that’s the way I like to feel. Because you know you’re working hard as a team,” said Freed, who won the 100-yard backstroke, swam on the winning medley relay and pushed to second in the 50 free. “I’m trying to get all of my district times right in the beginning of the season so as the season goes on, I can keep working hard.”

Freed joined Ellie Hiestand, Abby Burns and Frankie Ferlick on the winning medley. Ally Beldham won the diving for the Indians, Ferlick won the 100 free, and the free relay foursome of Hiestand, Mikayla Scardino, Jordyn Grossman and Kayla Pike burned to a 1:44.98 victory.

“Everything kinda worked out the way we were hoping tonight,” Indians coach Lou Williams said. “We love this meet. We pick our non-conference schedule pretty carefully. We try to make sure we’re bringing in good teams that are gonna challenge us. We’ve been looking forward to this meet.”

On the boys side, Matt Masciulli (200 free/100 fly), Robbie Ferlick (50 free/100 free) and Will Leyland (200 IM/100 breast) each won two individual events.

“For those kids who are former district qualifiers, we’re trying to get those times early in the season,” Williams said. “So that can help take the pressure off at the end of the year. We added a few more tonight. Because if

KEV HUNTER — MEDIANEWS GROUP Souderton Area’s Hailey Freed helped lead the way to a win over Hatboro-Horsham.