Swimming Preview

James Wood

Coach: Mark Pennypacker, seventh year

Last year: Boys — sixth in Northwestern District meet; Girls — third in district meet.

Key losses: Boys — Danny Amos, John Dalrymple; Girls — Kelsey Farinholt, Julia Collette.

Key returnees: Boys — Kevin Carver, Sr., all-around; Greg Anderson, Sr., all-around; Jared Blend, Sr., breast; Derek Hill, So., back/free; Devin Lee, Sr., breast; Chad Schott, So., all-around; Ritchy Turner, Sr., breast/free; Girls — Emalee Firestein, Sr., free; Kaye Whitacre, So., all-around; Alex Lew, So., sprints; Marianna Maddalena, So., all-around; Carly Mullin, Sr., breast; Erin McCarthy, Jr., breast; Sarah Donaldson, Jr., fly; Natasha Montgomery, Jr., all-around.

Top newcomers: Boys — Justin Bowen, So., all-around; Girls — none mentioned.

Outlook: Pennypacker spent some time last week talking with his swimmers about their goals for the season. For the girls’ trio of Firestein, Whitacre and Lew, nothing short of improvement at the state meet will be satisfactory.

Each had a memorable postseason last year, with Firestein winning the district 500 free before making the state finals in two events, Whitacre winning the district 100 breaststroke and placing 13th in the state, and Lew qualifying for the state meet in the 50 free and 100 free.

“They’re all working hard and are very specific about what they want to do,” Pennypacker said.

The boys are led by Carver, who tied for 10th in the 50 free and was 12th in the 100 free at the state meet. He won the district title in the 50 free.

“He took some time off during the summer and has been working hard,” Pennypacker said. “How he’ll finish up will depend on how hard he continues to work over the next couple of months.”

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