BACK ON THE BLOCKS

Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn are building steam

The Hatboro-Horsham girls swim team enters this season as the defending PIAA-3A Champions.

And the Hatters bring back some familiar faces from that memorable squad.

Kathy Jia, who won the state title in the 100-yard breaststroke, returns along with her sister, Annie, who earned the silver medal in the 100 free at PIAA’s and set a state record in the 100 fly.

Hatboro-Horsham racked up 227 points to win the championship trophy, with the 400 free relay team of seniors Vivi Vergara and Sara Bozzomo, and freshmen Sarah Parker and Annie Jia pushing to a first-place time of 3:23.63.

Parker and Annie Jia are back from that group.

Hatboro-Horsham, as always, will have some tough regularseason meets to get it ready for the home stretch. Upper Dublin and the Hatters will be vying for the Suburban One League Liberty Division title.

North Penn welcomes back a tremendous 200 free relay foursome of junior Sarah Poach, senior Kayla Stressman, junior Emma Raser and sophomore Madeline Faikish, which capped their season with an eighthplace medal at states a year ago.

That foursome is part of an experienced, tested group for the Knights, who will look to defend their SOL Colonial title and again be a major force at districts and states.

Following is a team-by-team look at the area:

Central Bucks West

Coach: Vibeke Swanson.

Key returners: Lina Hofmann, Sr., IM.

Outlook for the season: The Bucks should again have a solid group to build around and improve as the season goes on. West is in a a tough Colonial division but should win its share. Gwynedd Mercy Academy Coach: Judy Leighton.

Key performers lost: Madelyn

Markey, free; Brynn Romberger, free.

Key returners: Lina Hofmann, Sr., IM; Ella McManus, Jr., free; Amanda Murray, Jr., free. Outlook for the season:

The

KEV HUNTER — MEDIA NEWS GROUP Hatboro-Horsham’s 200medley relay of, from left, Sarah Parker, Emmy Erikson, Annie Jia and Kathy Jia won gold at the PIAA Championships on March 16, 2022.

KEV HUNTER — MEDIA NEWS GROUP North Penn’s 200free relay of, from left, Sarah Poach, Emma Raser, Kayla Stressman and Madeline Faikish earned the eight-place medal at the PIAA Championships on March 16, 2022.