EHS Swimmers gear up for the District XI Championship

Thirty-six Emmaus swimmers will compete against teams from seven counties the in the AAA district meet planned for March 4 and 5 at Parkland High School. The boys' team will be looking to win its fourth consecutive District XI meet.

Seniors Alex Muraro, Allie Roberts, Mike Schiano lo Moriello, and Ryan Woltornist join juniors Casey Harvey, Bailey Miller, and Alyssa Romano in returning to district competition. However, underclassmen make up two-thirds of the team after extremely strong showings throughout the EHS swim team's undefeated 2011 season.

“For the boys' swimming, some of them beat the qualifying time by 2 to 12 seconds,” said Coach Tim O'Connor. Spots for the event filled quickly. There were some swimmers who had qualifying times but did not make the district team.

“Those who didn't make it will have another chance. After the seniors graduate, spots will open up,” he said.

Freshmen Kate Reed and Brooke Vanim will be swimming solo against the other district swimmers -- though in separate heats -- in the girls' 50-yard freestyle races.

In the boys' 200-yd freestyle, sophomores Marc Primel and Matt Kline will have a go at first place before their teammates Greg Ritchie and Patrick Champagne make their attempt in the following heat.

The hornets will enter a cool down period this week, tapering off the intense practices. Swimmers will cut down on the yards they swim and time goals. Some swimmers have made themselves more aerodynamic for the upcoming district event, shaving legs, arms, and most of the hair on their head.

“Some kids get a crew cut, others dye their hair,” O'Connor said.

The coach pushed his team to become more well rounded which allows them more options when competing. “We were able to get each swimmer to try different events,” he said. Freshman and sophomores were encouraged to swim in different events, such as the 200- and 500-yard individual medleys.

Drew Switzer and Ben Farabaugh represented the boys' dive team on Feb. 26, and girls' team divers Beth Patterson, Serena Speer, Anna Overholts, and, Jessi Fosburg made a stong showing in the champion diving competition, as well.

“I love the team. They're good kids, and its great to see them grow,” said Holly Schoch, an Emmaus graduate and former diver. Schoch returned to her alma mater to assist the dive team and attended many of the meets rooting for the swim and dive teams.

But the swimmers root for each other, too. “It's my last year, I want to support them” said EHS swimmer Danielle Zickl.

The district championship meet begins at 7 p.m. March 4 and 2:30 p.m. March 5 at Parkland High School.

The complete list of swimmers chosen for the district meets includes freshmen Robert Bishop, Andrew Bond, Shanna Carwell, Patrick Champagne, Timothy Chien, Alex Duddy, Ben Farabaugh, diver, Jessi Fosburg, diver, Matt Kline, Anna Overholts, diver, Kate Reed, Natalie Schaeffer, Kayli Stuhmeier, Drew Switzer, diver, Danielle Thomas, Brooke Vanim and Cody Wimmer;  sophomores Maura Brennan, Mike Bussiere, Thomas Fang, Jesse Hixson, Taylor Iobst, David Larsen, Tom Muraro, Marc Primelo, Greg Ritchie, Steph Sheaffer and Serena Speer, diver; juniors Jackie Decker, Romain DeCrop, Evan Paules, Parker Edmonds, Taylor O'Brien, Alyssa Romano, Casey Harvey, Garrett Sharesky, Bailey Miller and Beth Patterson, diver; seniors Alex Muraro, Allie Roberts, Mike Schiano lo Moriello and Ryan Woltornist.