If there is one thing that’s constant about Schuylkill League swimming, it’s that it’s always changing.
Whether it’s the number of teams, the format of the league or changes with the league or district meet, there’s always something different each year when it comes to high school swimming in Schuylkill County.
The 2014-15 season is no exception.
The Schuylkill League expanded its schedule format for this season, as each team will swim two dual meets against the other teams in the league instead of one.
The league changed its schedule to increase competition among local schools and cut down on travel costs incurred by schools having to schedule non-league meets against teams from Berks County and the Lehigh Valley.
The move had one immediate negative reaction — Mount Carmel pulled out of the league because it couldn’t fit the additional dual meets into its schedule and remain in the Heartland Conference at the same time.
While the Red Tornadoes will still swim against all of the Schuylkill League members at least once, they aren’t official league members this season.
That leaves the Schuylkill League with just five dual-meet teams for the 2014-15 campaign: Blue Mountain, Mahanoy Area, Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven and Tamaqua.
“I believe it was the right thing to do on many levels,” Pottsville coach Ned Hampford said. “The league has dwindled in numbers of squads from a high of nine members back in the mid-2000s to five this season. While this was going on, many of the Lehigh Valley schools were cutting their longer exhibition meet travels.
“Therefore, it was easier to schedule a second meet within our league. This gave us all more meets and less travel costs. There are still enough openings in the swim schedule to meet bigger and stronger exhibition opponents from out of the area.”
There are positives and negatives about the Schuylkill League’s new schedule format.
On the positive side, it gives the league’s small schools — Mahanoy Area and Schuylkill Haven — more dual meets and competitions to challenge their swimmers.
Mahanoy Area swam in just eight competitions last year, six of which were dual meets. Those numbers increase to 12 competitions and 10 dual meets this year under the new format.
More meets and more competitions equal more chances to reach qualifying times for the District 11 Swimming Championships.
Blue Mountain will swim 17 times this season (14 duals), while Pottsville (13 duals) and Tamaqua (15 duals) will swim 16 times and Schuylkill Haven has 15 competitions (13 duals).
“The expansion of two dual meets is helpful in reaching that minimum number of meets for districts,” Mahanoy Area coach Meghan Karetsky said. “For smaller schools like Mahanoy, it is sometimes difficult to get the bigger teams on our schedule. Our league is a strong league, and it will be good to see everyone twice this season.”
Another positive is that it evens out the playing field and helps the Schuylkill League crown a true champion.
Too many times over the past several years close dual meets between title contenders were decided by event disqualifications or because a team had several swimmers sick or injured.
A second meet between those contenders not only gives teams another chance, it gives the swimmers and fans another chance to enjoy the atmosphere surrounding it.
“We frequently hit those ‘sick outs’ when half the team may be under the weather. If you have a swim meet when half the team is missing, it can put you at a serious disadvantage,” Schuylkill Haven coach Sharon Wenrich said. “By having to swim each team twice, it may help to even out the playing field. It gives the team a better idea as to whether they lost to a stronger team or just a healthier team.”
On the negative side, one concern is a reduction of training time and practice time that league coaches feel is valuable in the development of their swimmers and their preparation for big meets
like the Schuylkill League Swimming Championships (Feb. 7) and District 11 Swimming Championships (Feb. 27-28).
Most of the teams’ dual meets come in January, when teams are trying to peak for the league meet in early February and districts at the end of that month.
“It’s going to hurt our swim training timeline such as recovery and taper, but also be great for all the competition that our newer swimmers will get before districts,” Blue Mountain coach Sandy Englert said. “Christmas break is always a swimmers’ nightmare … early practice and lots of yardage and dry land. It’s a bragging point for all swimmers who complete it.
“With the new schedule I can’t do that and expect them to swim their best, but it will be a problem for all of our teams.”
Added new Tamaqua coach Al Bostdorff: “It is good to have activity for the kids, but I am concerned that we will ultimately spend so much time competing that we will have little time for training and improvement.”
The new league schedule is just one of several hot topics concerning Schuylkill League swimming entering the 2014-15 season. Let’s take a look at some others:
New coach for Raiders
There will be a new coach on the pool deck this season at Tamaqua, as Bostdorff replaces Ashley Stanek, who resigned after last season for personal reasons.
Stanek, the 2014 Republican-Herald All-Area Coach of the Year, guided the Tamaqua girls to a 30-5-1 mark and two Schuylkill League titles in her three years at the helm. The Raiders boys were 14-22 during that span.
Bostdorff is no stranger to Schuylkill League swimming, as he coached in the Tamaqua Blue Waves youth program for nearly a decade, was a PIAA swimming official and served as a coach with the Hazleton YMCA team the past three seasons. With Hazleton, Bostdorff helped coach the Schuylkill League’s independent swimmers from Marian and Weatherly.
The 70-year-old Bostdorff was a two-time All-America swimmer in high school in northern Minnesota, helping Biwadik High School to two state crowns. He went on to swim collegiately at SMU and worked with the FBI and as the security director for NASDAQ in New York City before retiring to his current home in Lake Hauto.
“My wife told me I better find something to do,” Bostdorff joked about how he got into coaching swimming locally. Bostdorff also coached the past several seasons with the Marian baseball team.
“I was very content coaching with the Hazleton Y, but I knew Tamaqua was struggling searching for a replacement for Ashley,” Bostdorff continued. “The parents got me interested. After a while, I figured I’d give it a shot and see what I can do.”
Schuylkill Sprint Meet moved to January
One of the highlights of the early part of the swimming schedule each year is the Schuylkill Sprint Meet, held at Pottsville’s Ned Hampford Natatorium.
The event is a mini version of the Schuylkill League Swimming Championships, with all of the league’s dual-meet teams and independent swimmers competing in 10 events — all three relays, the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, and shorter distances in the IM, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
The meet is usually held on the first weekend of the season, but this season has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 3, beginning at 11 a.m.
It comes at a great point of the season, as swimmers can test themselves before beginning the grind of the major part of the dual-meet season.
Mount Carmel pool
experiencing problems
Although Mount Carmel is not an official member of the Schuylkill League, the Red Tornadoes still compete against the other five teams at least once.
For the time being, Mount Carmel will have to do that away from home as the district suffered a breakdown of its pool in November. Until further notice, the Red Tornadoes have moved all of their scheduled home meets to Shamokin’s pool.
Boys’ Preview
Blue Mountain rolled through its Schuylkill League schedule a year ago, capturing its second straight league crown.
The Eagles are favored to do it again.
The return of state qualifiers Nathanael Marino, Mark Boran, Stephen Johnson and Joey McLaughlin and Schuylkill League diving champion Lyle Luckenbill give the Eagles a solid group of elite swimmers that Englert is able to move around her lineup.
Blue Mountain also has depth, as a roster of 18 boys includes 11 returnees, a full complement of divers, two newcomers who excelled for their fall sports teams and promising freshman Karl Usaka.
“Our boys’ team will be hard to beat,” Englert said. “We have a great group of experienced swimmers who want to succeed and get back to states.”
The Eagles will be challenged by perennial contender Pottsville, which has a roster of 27 boys — the biggest in the long and storied history of the Crimson Tide program.
Pottsville returns a trio of standouts in seniors Michael Logothetides and Josh Marx and sophomore Michael Smerlick, but have a relatively inexperienced roster. How quickly the inexperienced swimmers develop will determine the Tide’s success.
“Our guys are working very hard to learn the drills as most have little or no pre-high school swimming experience,” Hampford said. “Our veterans have been doing a fantastic job helping to teach the newcomers through peer coaching.
“We hope to challenge for the league title and are focusing our efforts to prepare for the postseason and district championships. We will need a few kids to step up early and improve in order to take a legitimate run at defending champ Blue Mountain.”
Schuylkill Haven, Mahanoy Area and Tamaqua each has a standout swimmer, but lack the depth and/or experience to challenge the other two teams for league supremacy.
Senior sprinter Sam Brennan returns for Schuylkill Haven, which lost Schuylkill League champions Billy Sieck, Nick Semanco and Kyle McGarry to graduation.
Junior Ben Turrano will lead Tamaqua, which was also hit hard by graduation and has a roster of just eight swimmers.
Liam Mansell, an All-Area selection after breaking several records as a freshman last year, is back for Mahanoy Area, which has a roster of 12 swimmers and could be a dark horse this season.
BOYS
Blue Mountain
Head coach: Sandy Englert (4th season)
Last year: 7-5, 5-0 SL. Schuylkill League champion
Returnees: Lyle Luckenbill (sr.), Nathanael Marino (sr.), Joey McLaughlin (sr.), Jesse Kintzel (sr.), Josh Sham (jr.), Nick Yackenchick (jr.), Mark Boran (soph.), Jordan Hughes (soph.), Stephen Johnson (soph.), Jacob Wessner (soph.), Tim Lechleitner (soph.)
Newcomers: Angus Fortune (jr.), Jonathan Benner (soph.), Austin Boyer (soph.), Nate Parkinson (fr.), Jonathon Phillips (fr.), Karl Usaka (fr.), Christian Wilson (fr.)
Outlook: The Eagles have the experience, leadership, talent and depth to win a third straight Schuylkill League crown and make a lot of noise in the postseason. Schuylkill League favorite.
Mahanoy Area
Head coach: Meghan Karetsky (4th season)
Last year: 1-5, 1-4 SL
Returnees: Matt Antanavage (sr.), Kebner Antalosky (jr.), Trey Macieunas (jr.), Evan McKenzie (jr.), Noah Noon (jr.), Jacob Ulicny (jr.), Trevor Flynn (soph.), Liam Mansell (soph.)
Newcomers: Luke Holman (jr.), Joseph Antolick (fr.), Kristopher Boxter (fr.), Brandon Hullihan (fr.)
Outlook: Golden Bears have a dominant No. 1 swimmer in All-Area selection Mansell, and have the depth to be competitive in dual meets. Increase in league dual meets should translate into a better overall record. Could surprise.
Pottsville
Head coach: Ned Hampford (37th season)
Last year: 7-3, 4-1 SL
Returnees: Eric Bevan (sr.), Kyle Brennan (sr.), Tristan Burhop (sr.), Ed Hossler (sr.), Nick Kerby (sr.), Michael Logothetides (sr.), Josh Marx (sr.), Jacob Spece (sr.), Tanner Steinhart (sr.), Dan Wanser (sr.), Justin Welkie (sr.), Josh Howell (jr.), Noah Marx (jr.), Ryan Scanlan (jr.), Anthony Wojciechowsky (jr.), Charlie Botto (soph.), Michael Smerlick (soph.), Jacob Turnitza (soph.)
Newcomers: Bill Laundry (sr.), Cody Gemmell (jr.), Chase Alisauckas (soph.), Cory Fanelli (fr.), Alec Gonzalez (fr.), Max Kelly (fr.), Christopher Ott (fr.), Lorne Zanis (fr.), Josh Zelinsky (fr.)
Outlook: With 27 boys, the Crimson Tide have the biggest roster in school history, and that’s saying something considering Pottsville’s long and storied history. Have a few swimmers who tasted individual success last season in Logothetides, Josh Marx and Smerlick, but the rest of the roster is relatively inexperienced. How quickly they learn and develop will decide Tide’s fate. With Hampford at the helm, the Tide are always a league title contender.
Schuylkill Haven
Head coach: Sharon Wenrich (16th season)
Last year: 5-3, 2-3 SL
Returnees: Sam Brennan (sr.), Joe Brennan (jr.), David Chesakis (jr.), Tyler Corby (jr.), Ian McGowan (jr.), Owen Pothering (jr.), John Rakowsky (jr.), Hunter Romberger (jr.), Josh Semanco (jr.)
Newcomers: Noah Plasko (fr.), Connor Raymond (fr.)
Outlook: The Hurricanes have to replace a talented group of seniors, including league champions Billy Sieck, Nick Semanco and Kyle McGarry, and have a short roster that features no divers. Haven will be competitive in dual meets, but doesn’t have the depth to contend for the league title. Keep on eye on freshman Raymond. Could struggle.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Al Bostdorff (1st season)
Last year: 8-2, 3-2 SL
Returnees: Ben Turrano (jr.), Andrew Castagna (jr.), Bryan Ramirez (jr.), Thorn Devlin (jr.), Dalton Adams (soph.), Ryan Alicandri (soph.)
Newcomers: Brandon Kemmery (fr.), Jeff Letterhouse (fr.)
Outlook: Blue Raiders have the smallest roster in the league with just 10 boys, and have no seniors on the squad. Expect big things from junior Turrano, but this is definitely a rebuilding year for the Blue Raiders.
Girls’ Preview
The Schuylkill League girls’ title is shaping up to be a three-way battle among Blue Mountain, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville.
Tamaqua is the defending champion, but was hit hard by graduation losses. The Blue Raiders, who were the District 11 Class AA runner-up, will have to replace a group of six seniors that included four-time state qualifier and three-time Republican-Herald Girls’ Swimmer of the Year Joann Butkus — who is already breaking records at Susquehanna University — state qualifier Miranda Amey and Schuylkill League champions Carly Trovinger and Makayla Boyle.
Senior All-Area selection Danielle DeCindio and sophomore state qualifier Rebecca Kanaskie return for the Blue Raiders, who have a roster of just 11 swimmers, four of whom are freshmen.
“This is a rebuilding year for Tamaqua after the heavy graduation losses, particularly to the women’s team,” Bostdorff said. “This is a young team with limited experience and depth. The goal is to be competitive, gain experience and make considerable strides for individual performance.”
Blue Mountain, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville appear ready to battle it out to see who takes the throne from Tamaqua.
The Eagles have a deep roster of 21 girls that includes a veteran group of seven seniors. Blue Mountain, however, has to replace All-Area selection Maddie Bartush, and lacks a dominant No. 1 swimmer.
Seniors Rebecca Donohue, JoJo Jacobson, Carleigh Bogotuik and Jordan Gormley and sophomore Erica Donohue placed in the top six in events at the league meet, but garnered only three top-three medals. Sophomore Emma Barrett was the league runner-up in diving.
“Our girls’ team has become an experienced group of swimmers, and Emily Laughlin and Sofia Pascuzzo are newcomers who medaled in the age-group program,” Englert said. “The group of seniors have all dropped times dramatically in the past three seasons and are ready to shine in their senior year.”
Schuylkill Haven is the opposite of Blue Mountain, as the Hurricanes have the star power but lack depth.
Senior two-time state qualifier Allison Adams leads a talented group that includes All-Area selections Elizabeth Bayliff, Mary Zimmerman and Taylor Felty. That quartet was third in the 200 freestyle relay and fourth in the 400 freestyle relay at districts, while Zimmerman won league titles in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle last season as a freshman.
The Hurricanes have a roster of just 13 girls, however, and no divers. Getting contributions up and down the lineup will be key.
“Our numbers are down this year,” Wenrich said. “However, we have some returnees and newbies that show a great deal of desire and determination, and therefore we should see some really good swims.
“My expectation for the season is that each of my swimmers do the absolute best that they can and push themselves to achieve the best times they can.”
Pottsville features the largest roster in the league with 24 girls, having lost just two seniors. The Tide will be led by Schuylkill League diving champion Gabrielle Hammer and a group of eight senior swimmers.
Like Blue Mountain, the Crimson Tide have a lot of depth, but lack that one dominant swimmer. Sophomore Sarah Corse-Campion and junior Madeline Consugar lead a group of 14 returnees.
Mahanoy Area could also have a say in who captures the league title, as the Golden Bears will field a roster of 18 girls led by Schuylkill League champion and All-Area selection Noel Bernardyn. Like Haven, the Bears have no divers, which could hurt in dual meets away from home.
GIRLS
Blue Mountain
Head coach: Sandy Englert (4th season)
Last year: 8-4, 4-1 SL
Returnees: Carleigh Bogotuik (sr.), Rachel Coller (sr.), Rebecca Donohue (sr.), Karissa Elser (sr.), Jordan Gormley (sr.), JoJo Jacobson (sr.), Maddie Krause (sr.), Andrea Fulk (jr.), Tara Laubenstine (jr.), Serena Reidler (jr.), Emily Zehner (jr.), Emma Barrett (soph.), Erica Donohue (soph.), Mya Hudephol (soph.), Gabby Krause (soph.), Elise Stine (soph.)
Newcomers: Miranda Freeman (fr.), Emily Harding (fr.), Emily Laughlin (fr.), Sofia Pascuzzo (fr.), Katie Zehner (fr.)
Outlook: Eagles have a deep roster with 21 girls, led by a veteran group of seven seniors, but must replace All-Area selection Maddie Bartush. Blue Mountain lacks a dominant No. 1 swimmer, and needs to have someone emerge in that role to win critical dual meets. A strong group of five freshmen could help in that area. League title contender.
Mahanoy Area
Head coach: Meghan Karetsky (4th season)
Last year: 2-4, 2-3 SL
Returnees: Noel Bernardyn (sr.), Maddison Jeffries (sr.), Arianna Kessler (sr.), Jessica Knapp (sr.), Jacqui Pitts (sr.), Madison Ansbach (jr.), Meghan Letcavage (jr.), Kiera Van Horn (jr.), Sarah Antanavage (soph.), Raquel Burke (soph.), Katie Laughlin (soph.)
Newcomers: Elizabeth Andrewcavage (fr.), Payton Bernardyn (fr.), Audrey Mastishin (fr.), Maddyson Minalda (fr.), Kayla Schmerfeld (fr.), Miranda Strollis (fr.), Leah Van Horn (fr.)
Outlook: Golden Bears have a strong roster of 18 girls, led by All-Area selection Noel Bernardyn. Don’t have the talent to match up with Blue Mountain and Schuylkill Haven, but could surprise some teams. Need contributions up and the down the lineup to improve overall record.
Pottsville
Head coach: Greg Schuettler (3rd season)
Last year: 2-8, 1-4 SL
Returnees: Gabrielle Hammer (sr.), Megan Berdanier (sr.), Rebecca Consugar (sr.), Katie Deegan (sr.), Sarah Lecher (sr.), Briana Rossi (sr.), Rachel Setlock (sr.), Hannah Tobin (sr.), Michaela Zanis (sr.), Madeline Consugar (jr.), Paige Fellows (jr.), Mykaihla Sternick (jr.), Taylor Young (jr.), Sarah Corse-Campion (soph.)
Newcomers: Delaney Golden (jr.), Rebecca Sites (soph.), Alyssa Emery (soph.), Chelsea Balulis (fr.), Ashley Emery (fr.), Lilly Golden (fr.), Sadie Michel (fr.), Jessica Turnitza (fr.), Laura Turnitza (fr.), Emma Walinsky (fr.)
Outlook: Crimson Tide have the biggest roster in the league with 24 girls and have some solid leaders in Hammer, Madeline Consugar and Corse-Campion. Need younger, more inexperienced swimmers to step up and fill key roles to earn points in critical dual meets. League dark horse.
Schuylkill Haven
Head coach: Sharon Wenrich (16th season)
Last year: 6-2, 3-2 SL
Returnees: Allison Adams (sr.), Elizabeth Bayliff (sr.), Megan Ditzler (jr.), Taylor Felty (soph.), Madison Irwin (soph.), Crystal Reber (soph.), Mary Zimmerman (soph.)
Newcomers: Callie Dreher (soph.), Leeanna Gretsky (soph.), Kali Muthersbaugh (fr.), Hannah Palladino (fr.), Elise Scott (fr.), Ashley Strouphauer (fr.)
Outlook: Hurricanes have the star power in Adams and Zimmerman, but will need contributions from all 13 swimmers if they intend to capture the league title. A lack of depth, and no divers, will hurt Haven in dual meets. Expect big things in postseason from Adams, Zimmerman and relays that include Felty and Bayliff. League title contender.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Al Bostdorff (1st season)
Last year: 9-1, 5-0 SL. Schuylkill League champion
Returnees: Danielle DeCindio (sr.), Savannah Szabo (sr.), Rebecca Kanaskie (soph.), Abby Brickler (soph.), Emma Rago (soph.)
Newcomers: Allison Pederson (jr.), Jazmin Mena (jr.), Emily Andrews (fr.), Maizy Troxell (fr.), Olivia Stanek (fr.), Sierra Szabo (fr.)
Outlook: The Blue Raiders are in rebuilding mode after losing a talented senior class that included three-time Swimmer of the Year Joann Butkus. DeCindio and Kanaskie bring postseason success and experience, but the rest of the team is young and relatively inexperienced. Should be competitive in dual meets.
Independents
The Schuylkill League lost two of its most accomplished independent swimmers to graduation in Millersburg’s Cole Davis and Ian Lloyd.
There are several independent swimmers returning, however, that will play major roles at the Schuylkill League meet and at districts.
They include Marian sophomores Timmy Dando and Katie Kurzinsky, Weatherly junior Jacob Sirkot and Halifax junior Natalie Frantz, all of whom won Schuylkill League individual titles last season.
The future
While 2014-15 offers change to Schuylkill League swimming, so will the 2015-16 campaign.
North Schuylkill athletic director Jim Gross has confirmed that the Spartans will field a team next season providing renovations to the pool are completed. Other sources have indicated a combined team of Millersburg, Halifax and Upper Dauphin will join the league as a dual-meet squad.
So, sit back and enjoy the Schuylkill League’s new dual-meet schedule. Next season, it gets even better.
Schuylkill League Swimming
Final 2013-14 standings
BOYS
Leag. Over.
*Blue Mountain 5-0 7-5
Pottsville 4-1 7-3
Tamaqua 3-2 8-2
Schuylkill Haven 2-3 5-3
Mahanoy Area 1-4 1-5
Mount Carmel 0-5 0-13
GIRLS
*Tamaqua 5-0 9-1
Blue Mountain 4-1 8-4
Schuylkill Haven 3-2 6-2
Mahanoy Area 2-3 2-4
Pottsville 1-4 2-8
Mount Carmel 0-5 0-13
* League champion
Schuylkill League Swimming Schedule
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16
Mahanoy Area at Tamaqua, 4:30
Schuylkill Haven at Blue Mountain, 4:30
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
Pottsville at Mahanoy Area, 4:30
Blue Mountain at Tamaqua, 4:30
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
At Ned Hampford Natatorium
Schuylkill Sprint Meet, 10 a.m.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6
Tamaqua at Schuylkill Haven, 4:30
Pottsville at Blue Mountain, 4:30
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
Schuylkill Haven at Pottsville, 4:30
Blue Mountain at Mahanoy Area, 4:30
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
Mahanoy Area at Schuylkill Haven, 4:30
Pottsville at Tamaqua, 4:30
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
Tamaqua at Mahanoy Area, 4:30
Blue Mountain at Schuylkill Haven, 4:30
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
Mahanoy Area at Pottsville, 4:30
Tamaqua at Blue Mountain, 4:30
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
Schuylkill Haven at Tamaqua, 4:30
Blue Mountain at Pottsville, 4:30
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
Pottsville at Schuylkill Haven, 4:30
Mahanoy Area at Blue Mountain, 4:30
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29
Schuylkill Haven at Mahanoy Area, 4:30
Tamaqua at Pottsville, 4:30
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Schuylkill League Diving, at Tamaqua
League meet, 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Schuylkill League Swimming
At Ned Hampford Natatorium
League meet, 10 a.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
District 11 Diving, at Emmaus High School
Girls’ meet, 9:30 a.m.
Boys’ meet, 2:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
District 11 Swimming, At Parkland High School
Class AA meet, 2:45 p.m.
Class AAA meet, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
District 11 Swimming, at Parkland High School
Class AA meet, 10 a.m.
Class AAA meet, 2:30 p.m.