Who’s next?
Who’s the next Schuylkill League male and female swimmer to step up and become the league’s elite?
For the past four years, Blue Mountain’s Nathanael Marino dominated the Schuylkill League boys’ swimming circuit, winning the past three Republican-Herald All-Area Male Swimmer of the Year honors.
Marino and the countless school and pool records he set at Blue Mountain have moved on, however, as he now competes collegiately at SUNY-Maritime.
Also gone to graduation are Schuylkill Haven’s Allison Adams, the 2015 Republican-Herald Female Swimmer of the Year and a three-time state qualifier; Pottsville’s Gabrielle Hammer, who won the last three Schuylkill League girls’ diving titles; and Blue Mountain’s Lyle Luckenbill, a two-time Schuylkill League boys’ diving champion.
Their departures have left a gigantic void at the top of the Schuylkill League that will be tough to fill.
But as is the case with every high school sport, things run in cycles. And there are plenty of candidates ready and willing to emerge and fill that void.
Let’s take a look.
Boys to Watch
Let’s start with the boys, where seven All-Area selections from 2014-15 return.
Blue Mountain juniors Mark Boran and Stephen Johnson have qualified for states the past two seasons, combining to win seven District 11 gold medals so far.
Boran won Schuylkill League titles in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay a year ago, then captured first place in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke at districts. His only postseason loss came to Marino in the 200 IM at districts when the teammates placed 1-2.
Johnson won three Schuylkill League gold medals (50 free, two relays), then was second in the 50 freestyle, fourth in the 100 freestyle and grabbed gold in the two relays at districts.
At states, Boran was 15th in the 100 backstroke, 24th in the 200 IM and helped the Eagles place 13th in both relays. Johnson also swam on those two relays and placed 26th individually in the 50 freestyle.
Marian’s Timmy Dando also qualified for states with an at-large berth after taking third at districts in the 500 freestyle. At states, Dando placed 30th.
Other returning District 11 medalists include Pottsville junior Michael Smerlick (4th, 200 free; 4th, 500 free), Tamaqua senior Ben Turrano (3rd, 100 fly) and Mahanoy Area’s Liam Mansell (4th, 100 back).
Other swimmers to keep an eye on include Schuylkill Haven’s Ian McGowan, Mahanoy Area’s Joey Antolick and Pottsville’s Charlie Botto and Ryan Scanlan. Independent swimmers Jacob Sirkot of Weatherly and Noah Reed
of Millersburg will be major factors at the league meet.
Newcomers to watch include Mahanoy Area’s Reggie Crawford, Pottsville’s Zach Turnitza and Nativity’s Ryan Schreffler, all of whom had record-breaking performances in youth or YMCA leagues.
Tamaqua senior Thorn Devlin should be the diver to beat after placing fourth at districts. Devlin did not participate in the league meet due to an injury.
Pottsville’s Chase Alisauckas will be Devlin’s top challenger.
Girls to Watch
On the girls’ side, Tamaqua’s Rebecca Kanaskie and Marian sophomore Katie Kurzinsky return after competing at states as individuals last spring.
Kanaskie, a two-time state qualifier, dominated the individual medley and breaststroke events last season.
Now a junior, she won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke at the Schuylkill League Swimming Championships, placed second in both events at districts, then finished 19th in both events at states.
Kurzinsky had a breakthrough season as a sophomore, winning two gold at the Schuylkill League meet, placing first in the District 11 Class AA 100 backstroke and earning silver in the 100 freestyle.
At states, Kurzinsky was the area’s highest finisher, taking 12th in the 100 backstroke.
Schuylkill League champions Mary Zimmerman and Taylor Felty of Schuylkill Haven — who took 20th at states on the Hurricanes’ 200 freestyle relay team — Angelina Krupko of Marian and Sarah Corse-Campion of Pottsville also return.
Kanaskie, Kurzinsky, Zimmerman and Corse-Campion combined to win six of the seven individual events at the season-opening Schuylkill Sprint Meet, with Blue Mountain’s Erica Donohue (50 freestyle) grabbing the other.
Pottsville freshman Kylie Tohill made a strong first impression with a pair of second-place finishes and a leg on the Tide’s winning 400 freestyle relay, but the opportunity is there for new talent to emerge. Blue Mountain freshman Karrison Dubbs was a record-breaker in youth and YMCA leagues.
In diving, Blue Mountain’s Emma Barrett and Tamaqua’s Emma Rago return after placing third and fourth at leagues a year ago.
Boys’ team breakdown
Pottsville captured the 21st Schuylkill League title in program history last year by running through its league slate unbeaten.
The Crimson Tide lost 11 swimmers off that club, including All-Area performers Josh Marx and Michael Logothetides and consistent point scorer Tanner Steinhart.
The cupboard isn’t bare, however, as 12 letterwinners return, headlined by All-Area selections Smerlick and Botto and diver Alisauckas. Scanlan, Josh Howell, Noah Marx and Anthony Wojciechowsky also return, giving the Crimson Tide a balanced roster.
“Last year’s team was one of the largest in school history with 23 members,” said Pottsville coach Ned Hampford, who will earn career dual-meet victory No. 400 if the Crimson Tide defeat Mount Carmel today. “Bad news … 11 members graduated from that squad. Good news … 12 return with experience and a strong offseason participation in the development program and water polo season.
“All three freshmen bring youth swimming experience and will be in the lineup when the season begins. We have front-line swimmers returning as well as depth in all events.”
Blue Mountain and Mahanoy Area figure to challenge Pottsville in its quest to repeat as boys’ champions.
Boran and Johnson lead a deep Blue Mountain squad that saw its two-year league title streak end last season. The Eagles will be young with just two seniors on their roster, but talented with 10 returning upperclassmen.
Senior Nick Yackenchick, juniors Jacob Wessner, Austin Boyer and Jordan Hughes, and sophomores Christian Wilson and Karl Usuka all contributed last season in helping Blue Mountain finish as the District 11 Class AA team runner-up.
“We have depth in our swimmers, many who can swim any event and upperclassmen with district and state experience to work with and motivate our team,” Blue Mountain coach Sandy Englert said. “Our freshmen and new upperclassmen have already stepped up, competing with the returnees in practice sets and working toward personal goals.”
Mahanoy Area may have its most competitive boys’ team ever this season, with All-Area selection Mansell leading a group of 10 returnees that also includes Antolick, Noah Noon, Kebner Antalosky and Kris Boxter.
Mansell, Boxter, Antalosky and Antolick combined to place fourth at districts in the 200 medley relay, while Mansell was fourth in the 100 backstroke.
Crawford and fellow freshman Caleb Snyder lead a group of six newcomers that figures to make an immediate impact.
“I’m looking forward to a strong year from the boys and girls,” Mahanoy Area coach Meghan Karestky said. “We lost some key swimmers last year, but the team is stepping up and working hard for the season.”
Schuylkill Haven and Tamaqua both return a few talented individuals, but lack the depth overall to be competitive in the team race.
The Hurricanes, who won the 2012 league crown, have just nine swimmers and no divers on their roster, while Tamaqua has just five swimmers and two divers.
Joe Brennan, Ian McGowan and Connor Raymond, who teamed to place fourth in both the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay at districts, return for the Hurricanes.
BOYS
Blue Mountain
Head coach: Sandy Englert (5th season)
Last year: 10-4, 6-2 SL
Returnees: Nick Yackenchick (sr.), Angus Fortune (sr.), Mark Boran (jr.), Austin Boyer (jr.), Jordan Hughes (jr.), Stephen Johnson (jr.), Jacob Wessner (jr.), Nate Parkinson (soph.), Jonathan Phillips (soph.), Karl Usaka (soph.), Christian Wilson (soph.),
Newcomers: George Cairnie (jr.), Jacob Woleschok (jr.), Colin Rickard (soph.), Coltin Albitz (fr.), Ian Grogan (fr.), Ethan Jennings (fr.), Andrew Johnson (fr.), Ty Rabenstein (fr.), Thomas Scott (fr.)
Outlook: Eagles have some big holes to fill, but have the talent and depth to do so. State qualifiers Boran and Stephen Johnson lead a deep group of swimmers (20), while Rickard and Jennings give Blue Mountain a pair of divers. Eagles need veteran juniors and sophomores to step up to elite status for Blue Mountain to have special season. League title contender.
Mahanoy Area
Head coach: Meghan Karetsky (5th season)
Last year: 3-6, 2-6 SL
Returnees: Kebner Antalosky (sr.), Luke Holman (sr.), Evan McKenzie (sr.), Noah Noon (sr.), Jacob Ulicny (sr.), Trevor Flynn (jr.), Liam Mansell (jr.), Joey Antolick (soph.), Kris Boxter (soph.), Brandon Hullihan (soph.).
Newcomers: Danny Wall (sr.), Noah Shustack (soph.), Holden Andrewcavage (fr.), Reggie Crawford (fr.), Cameron Jones (fr.), Caleb Snyder (fr.).
Outlook: All-Area selection Mansell and honorable mention pick Antolick lead a strong group of 16 swimmers that look poised to have a breakout year. Keep an eye on freshman Crawford, who was record-breaking swimmer in youth leagues. If the pieces of the puzzle fit right, this could be Mahanoy Area’s year. League title contender.
Pottsville
Head coach: Ned Hampford (37th season)
Last year: 13-1, 8-0 SL. Schuylkill League champion
Returnees: Ryan Scanlan (sr.), Josh Howell (sr.), Noah Marx (sr.), Anthony Wojciechowsky (sr.), Cody Gemmell (sr.), Michael Smerlick (jr.), Charlie Botto (jr.), Chase Alisauckas (jr.), Alec Gonzalez (soph.), Max Kelly (soph.), Chris Ott (soph.), Josh Zelinsky (soph.)
Newcomers: Mike Motta (sr.), Bryce Hager (jr.), Alex Albertini (soph.), Steve Messina (soph.), Noah Robertson (soph.), Anthony Rulavage (soph.), Evan Lecher (fr.), Jordan Young (fr.), Zach Turnitza (fr.).
Outlook: The bad news is defending league champion Tide lost 11 seniors to graduation, including league champions Josh Marx and Michael Logothetides and Tanner Steinhart. The good news is 12 experienced swimmers return, including All-Area selections Smerlick and Botto. Overall, Crimson Tide have the leadership, experience and depth (21) to once again challenge for league title. Putting the right swimmers in the right places is Hampford’s challenge. League title contender.
Schuylkill Haven
Head coach: Sharon Wenrich (17th season)
Last year: 6-6, 4-4 SL
Returnees: Joe Brennan (sr.), David Chesakis (sr.), Ian McGowan (sr.), Owen Pothering (sr.), John Rakowsky (sr.), Hunter Romberger (sr.), Josh Semanco (sr.), Connor Raymond (soph.)
Newcomers: Kyle Schaeffer (fr.)
Outlook: Hurricanes have some quality individuals in McGowan and Raymond that will contend for individual and postseason honors. With only nine boys and no divers, however, Haven lacks the depth needed to be competitive in dual meets. Will struggle.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Al Bostdorff (2nd season)
Last year: 1-14, 0-8 SL
Returnees: Andrew Castagna (sr.), Thorn Devlin (sr.), Ben Turrano (sr.), Bryan Ramirez (sr.), Jeff Letterhouse (soph.)
Newcomers: Jacob Rudy (fr.), Billy Shilko (fr.)
Outlook: Blue Raiders are once again hampered by low numbers, which will make winning dual meets very difficult. On the bright side, Devlin is one of the best divers in the Schuylkill League, and Turrano should contend for Schuylkill League and District 11 top individual honors in his events.
Girls’ team breakdown
The race for the Schuylkill League girls’ swim title will be an interesting one.
All three of the teams expected to contend for the crown — defending champion Blue Mountain, Pottsville and Mahanoy Area — lack a dominating swimmer capable of winning four events in every meet and gaining a ton of valuable points.
All three squads have talented swimmers poised to make that jump into the league’s elite. Which squad gets those swimmers to make that leap will ultimately capture the crown.
Let’s start with Blue Mountain, which used a team-first approach last season to go 13-1 overall and 8-0 in league play for its second Schuylkill League title in three years.
The Eagles lost nine seniors to graduation, including All-Area performer Rebecca Donohue and valuable team leaders Carleigh Bogotuik, Maddie Krause and JoJo Jacobson.
A group of nine freshmen add depth to a roster of 23 girls that includes only three seniors and five juniors.
Senior Tara Laubenstine, juniors Erica Donohue and Gabby Krause and sophomores Miranda Freeman, Emily Laughlin and Sophia Pascuzzo are among the key returnees for the Eagles, along with diver Barrett.
“Our girls’ team is starting this season stronger than expected,” Englert said. “Our new freshmen girls have kept our depth strong, and many of our newcomers have already competed and shown their talents in other swim leagues.
“Our biggest weakness is going to be filling the spots left by a very experienced graduating class. I’m confident this team, as a whole, will step up and achieve a strong, positive season because they already know it takes a team, not a few individuals, to make them a success.”
Pottsville returns 13 girls from last year’s squad that finished 9-5 overall and 5-3 in league play, including All-Area selection Corse-Campion.
The Crimson Tide lost All-Area pick Katie Deegan and three-time diving champion Hammer among nine seniors to graduation, and will need some of its veteran swimmers to step up and score points in key dual meets.
Other key returnees for the Tide include seniors Madeline Consugar, Mykaihla Sternick, Paige Fellows, Delaney Golden, Rebekah McClelland and Taylor Young.
“This year we are looking to be strong in our freestyle and breaststroke events,” Pottsville coach Greg Schuettler said. “Our older girls have been working hard and are ready for their first competition.
“Our biggest weakness for the girls’ team is lack of swimming experience for our incoming swimmers. Only one of our seven newcomers this year has any major experience in the sport prior to high school.
“It is hard to field a competitive team against our county competitors who have established age-group programs that give them several experienced swimmers each season.”
Mahanoy Area also returns 13 letterwinners, and like Blue Mountain and Pottsville, is looking for some of those returnees to step up into leadership roles.
The Bears only have two seniors on their 18-girl roster — Madison Ansbach and Kiera Van Horn. Other key returnees include juniors Sarah Antanavage, Raquel Burke and Katie Loughlin and sophomores Payton Bernardyn, Elizabeth Andrewcavage and Maddyson Minalda.
Like their boys’ counterparts, Schuylkill Haven and Tamaqua lack the depth to be considered league title contenders.
What the Hurricanes and Raiders do have, however, is talented individuals. Haven’s Zimmerman and Felty and Tamaqua’s Kanaskie are good bets to be advancing deep into the postseason.
GIRLS
Blue Mountain
Head coach: Sandy Englert (5th season)
Last year: 13-1, 8-0 SL. Schuylkill League champion
Returnees: Andrea Fulk (sr.), Tara Laubenstine (sr.), Serena Reidler (sr.), Emma Barrett (jr.), Erica Donohue (jr.), Gabby Krause (jr.), Elise Stine (jr.), Miranda Freeman (soph.), Emily Harding (soph.), Emily Laughlin (soph.), Sophia Pascuzzo (soph.), Katie Zehner (soph.)
Newcomers: Lauren Wagner (jr.), Kayla DeCindio (soph.), Olivia Benner (fr.), Rylee Bolinsky (fr.), Arabella Cairnie (fr.), Karrison Dubbs (fr.), Mallorie Dukmen (fr.), Isabel Fortune (fr.), Jackie O’Neil (fr.), Emily Sopko (fr.), Sarah Zimmerman (fr.)
Outlook: Defending league champion Eagles lost nine seniors to graduation and will have to use the same “team-first” philosophy they used last season. To equal last season’s success, Eagles will need veteran swimmers to step up, become leaders and score points in key dual meets to garner victories. Keep an eye on Dubbs, one of nine freshman newcomers. League title contender.
Mahanoy Area
Head coach: Meghan Karetsky (5th season)
Last year: 4-5, 3-5 SL
Returnees: Kiera Van Horn (sr.), Madison Ansbach (sr.), Sarah Antanavage (jr.), Raquel Burke (jr.), Katie Loughlin (jr.), Arianna Mentusky (jr.), Elizabeth Andrewcavage (soph.), Payton Bernardyn (soph.), Audrey Mastishin (soph.), Maddyson Minalda (soph.), Kayla Schmerfeld (soph.), Miranda Strollis (soph.), Leah Van Horn (soph.)
Newcomers: Haley Burd (soph.), Kathryn McCarthy (soph.), Lauren Antanavage (fr.), Kendall Bernardyn (fr.), Taylor Evans (fr.)
Outlook: Golden Bears have another deep roster with 18 girls, which will make them competitive in dual meets. To challenge for league title, Bears need veteran swimmers to step up and grab victories in key dual meets. In balanced league, Bears could be there at the end. League darkhorse.
Pottsville
Head coach: Greg Schuettler (4th season)
Last year: 9-5, 5-3 SL
Returnees: Madeline Consugar (sr.), Paige Fellows (sr.), Delaney Golden (sr.), Rebekah McClelland (sr.), Mykaihla Sternick (sr.), Taylor Young (sr.), Sarah Corse-Campion (jr.), Chelsea Balulis (soph.), Emma Walinsky (soph.), Jess Turnitza (soph.), Laura Turnitza (soph.), Liliana Golden (soph.), Sadie Michel (soph.)
Newcomers: Cailey Carl (soph.), Angela Eckert (soph.), Hannah Joyce (soph.), Emma Bertsch (fr.), Rachael Lenker (fr.), Marcayla Lutzkanin (fr.), Kylie Tohill (fr.),
Outlook: Crimson Tide went from 2-8 in 2013-14 to 9-5 last season. Can they continue that climb this season? To do that, Tide will need to ride leadership and strong performances by Consugar and Corse-Campion and get major contributions from younger swimmers. A relatively young team with 13 freshmen or sophomores, Tide will need to grow up quickly to contend. League title contender.
Schuylkill Haven
Head coach: Sharon Wenrich (17th season)
Last year: 5-7, 4-4 SL
Returnees: Megan Ditzler (sr.), Taylor Felty (jr.), Madison Irwin (jr.), Crystal Reber (jr.), Mary Zimmerman (jr.), Kali Muthersbaugh (soph.), Hannah Palladino (soph.)
Newcomers: Meghan McBreen (soph.)
Outlook: Hurricanes have the star power in All-Area selections Zimmerman and Felty, but with only eight girls and no divers lack depth to be competitive in dual meets. Expect Hurricanes to have subpar dual-meet record, but make big noise in individual and postseason events.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Al Bostdorff (2nd season)
Last year: 2-13, 0-8 SL
Returnees: Jazmin Mena (sr.), Abby Brickler (jr.), Rebecca Kanaskie (jr.), Emma Rago (jr.), Emily Andrews (soph.), Maizy Troxell (soph.)
Newcomers: Julia Shellhammer (sr.), Amy Hadesty (soph.), Lexi Kerstetter (soph.), Olivia Lattanzi (fr.), Sarah Maue (fr.), Zowie Schickram (fr.), Samantha Wagner (fr.)
Outlook: Blue Raiders may have the best female swimmer in the league in two-time state qualifier Kanaskie, but the rest of the roster is very inexperienced. Should improve on last year’s record.
Schuylkill League Swimming
Final 2014-15 standings
BOYS
Leag. Over.
* Pottsville 8-0 13-1
Blue Mountain 6-2 10-4
Schuylkill Haven 4-4 6-6
Mahanoy Area 2-6 3-6
Tamaqua 0-8 1-14
GIRLS
*Blue Mountain 8-0 13-1
Pottsville 5-3 9-5
Schuylkill Haven 4-4 5-7
Mahanoy Area 3-5 4-5
Tamaqua 0-8 2-13
* League champion