CB East Swimmers Take on Archrival

 The Central Bucks East swim team dives into its season on Tuesday, and it just happens to be starting with a matchup against the team's biggest rival.

"Our biggest meet is probably the first one of the season against Souderton," Michael Cox said. "It's always close and they are our biggest rival."

Cox, one of the team's captains along with Kerry Thompson, will lead the East swimmers as they start their season against Souderton at 3:30 p.m.

The Patriots have one of the more talented teams in the Suburban One League this season but coach Ed Walsh doesn't want to let that go to his boys' heads.

"It is always difficult to say how good we are going to be," said Walsh, who has coached the team for the past 38 seasons. "With six inexperienced freshman, we are not terribly deep this year."

Walsh preaches a strong work ethic with a somewhat hands off approach.

The boys team practices with the girls team, which increases the competitiveness, despite the fact the two teams often are doing their own separate workouts.

A few of the boys are expected to come up big for the team this year. The first of those is Riley Weber.

Now a junior, Weber was one of the best area sprinters last season and finished fifth in the 100 freestyle at the PIAA State Swimming and Diving Championship last season.

Weber is looking to get back to states this year.

Other big contributors are expected to be the two captains, Cox and Thompson.

Thompson, who has been swimming since he was 12, competes in the breast stroke and the 200 individual medley relay. He wants to pick up right where he left off last season.

"Last year we went to states," he said, referring to the 200 freestyle relay team, which finished seventh in the state. "Maybe we can send another team there this season."

Cox hopes for the same but knows the importance of leadership to a team that is young and somewhat inexperienced. Cox, who has been swimming since he was six, competes in several events including the sprint freestyle and butterfly.

"This year, it's a pretty young team that we are dealing with," he said. "They have a little bit of inexperience but we will see how it goes."