Livengood in the neighborhood
Pennridge Gators growing in number while having fun in the sun
NORTH WALES >> There’s a drawing power to the Bux-Mont Swim League, and it’s pulled in Pennridge’s Ian Livengood for 12 seasons and counting.
“Until you experience it first hand, there’s no other thing like it. You walk around and all of these kids are just beaming with joy just to be here,” said the senior swimmer Tuesday night, on the road at NorGwyn. “They’re excited to make their times. They’re excited to run around with their friends. The season only lasts like six or seven weeks and it’s just pure fun.”
Livengood’s role this summer is two tier, as he competes in the senior division as a swimmer and also helps out as an assistant coach.
“My goal is to make sure that all of the kids have fun,” he said. “This is my second summer coaching. I love working with the younger kids — that’s my favorite, but when an older kid who has been in a rut for a while finally comes to and breaks times, that’s fun.”
GATOR ATTACK >> Livengood is vital to a team that is increasing in numbers and ability level.
“It’s going really well. Our
team has grown so much this year,” said coach Chris Bashaar. “We have a lot of new girls and boys in the younger age groups.
“We’ve gotten a lot more participation from our older kids. We’re really coming into our own. Not only are we getting bigger but we’re there. We have kids who are competitive and not just in times but they wanna better themselves.”
Several kids have broken through to ‘A’ and ‘B’ Championships qualifying times.
“We haven’t won too many meets. We have a big goose egg in the win column but it’s been a summer of fun,” Livengood said.
“The energy,” said Joseph Ereifej, of what makes the team stand out. “Some of the (younger kids) come up to me — they don’t even know my name, but they’ll say ‘hey, how are you?’ And they try and mess with me and it’s all fun.”
Ereifej was formerly on a team in Quakertown but has been with the Gators five seasons now.
“It’s a lot more of a team,” he said. “The other league was a whole bunch of swimmers from different areas coming together on a team. But this is more of a family.”
LEADING THE WAY >> Senior swimmers like Livengood and Ereifej — both 2019 Pennridge High grads — have been invaluable this summer.
“The older kids are so accomodating here and they’re helpful,” said Bashaar. “We have them leading cheers and getting kids up to the blocks. We have an awesome set of older kids and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
Livengood and Ereifej are both headed to Pitt. They may swim club next season.
“We love the sport and we wanna stay active with it,” Ereifej said.
“It’s been our lives,” said Livengood.