By Abby Chong, Staff Reporter

The scent of chlorine fills the air as water drips on the floor. Shiny medals adorn the necks of the Conestoga swimmers as they take home first and second place at the PIAA District 1 meets.

On Feb. 24 and 25, the girls’ varsity swim team took home the title while the boys came in second. The girls earned a total of 316 points, defeating North Penn High School with a total of 207 points and winning their third consecutive year. At the district meet, Conestoga secured many first place finishes, including the girls’ 200 medley with seniors Keira Haas, Naomi Furman and Lily Robinson and freshman Maddie Fox. They also won the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke with junior Jake Wang. Robert Kirkby, one of the girls’ varsity team’s swim coaches, has been with the swim teams for 34 years and continues to push for the teams’ improvement. 

“They (the teams) have a great group of seniors that are very supportive and enthusiastic. We have four high school All-American swimmers in that group of seniors, (and) they want to see another repeat. I think their attitude (and) experience (as) the league leaders and district leaders really buoys everybody else along,” Kirkby said.

Encouragement from fellow swimmers is an important part of meets. Audrey Laganelli, a senior committed to swim at the Air Force Academy, participates in and receives cheers from her teammates.

“Everyone’s in it together. When someone swims, you’re not sitting there thinking about your race. You’re getting up, and you’re cheering for them. The energy is always really high,” Laganelli said.

Senior and captain Noel Park has been a member of the boys’ swim team since his freshman year and believes the energy before, during and after their meets is crucial to the team’s success.

“We have the energy and whenever you’re swimming and you see the whole team cheering behind your lane, (you) just (have) that feeling where you want to be faster,” Park said.

Although the team consists of many graduating seniors, Kirkby believes that the future of the team looks prosperous as the underclassmen and incoming freshmen step up to the challenge.

“I think we have a wonderful opportunity to be the league leaders for many years to come with the enthusiasm that we have with the swimmers that are coming back next year,” Kirkby said.

Not only is the girls’ team set for future years, but the boys’ team also plans to continue to improve with new and old swimmers.

“The future looks bright. I know our incoming freshmen for next year are also really fast, so I have faith in the team that we’ll go undefeated again,” Park said.

Bradley Zhang, a freshman on the boys’ varsity team, recalls his positive experience while on the team. The captains, coaches and fellow swimmers have supported him through his first district and Central League meets.

“I’m really enjoying (the team). I’m really close with everyone, and it’s just really fun racing with each other,” Zhang said.

The captains have left their mark on the team as they nurture future swimmers. Freshman Will Galef has been inspired by these seniors.

“When I’m a senior (I want to) make an impact on the freshmen and underclassmen so that they can further the legacy that has already been created from the further up generation,” Galef said.

As the season comes to an end, the coaches and younger players will miss the swimmers who will be graduating this June.

“This is kind of nostalgic,” Kirkby said. “Seeing kids that are seniors now and having worked with them for three or four years (and) just seeing how much they’ve grown, and how much they still love the sport of swimming, is one of my biggest enjoyments every year.”

Abby Chong can be reached at [email protected].