Upper Perkiomen's swimming team is heading into the holiday break in a good spot. Collectively, it has only lost dual meets to opponents with deeper rosters, according to head coach Brien Kalnoski, individually, several have already met district qualifying times.
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Justin Maciolek swims the breaststroke leg of the
200 Individual Medley last week.
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"For this part of the season, we're swimming very well," the coach said. "We've put up some fast times. Our ninth graders are doing very well."
The Indians were swept by Phoenixville on Tuesday. The boys fell 102-65 while the girls were defeated 93-57,
Andrew Kelly and Brayden Favre led the boys with two first-place performances. Kelly finished first in the 50 free (23.82) while Favre won the 100 back (1:00.83).
The duo was also part of the winning 200 medley relay. Kelly and Favre teamed with Justin Maciolek and Hunter Francisco to post a time of 1:48.04.
For the girls, Beatriz Santoz and Elianna Smith both posted three first-place finishes for the Tribe. Santoz won the 100 meter breaststroke (1:16.32), while Smith took first in the 100 backstroke (1:08.37).
Santoz and Smith teamed with Katie Kovalenko and Charlotte Forte to win two relays. They finished fourth in the 200 medley relay (2:01.99) and the 200 free relay (1:53.92).
Last week, the boys lost 84-82 to Upper Merion. Evan Harter, Favre and Francisco each posted three victories. They teamed with Kelly to finish first in the 400 free and 200 free relays.
Harter won the 50 free (26.40). Favre ended up in first place in the 100 free (52.73). Francisco won the 100 back (1:02.95).
Eight of the nine boys – including all three relays – have already hit district qualifying times. Kalnoski expressed hope that all the members will qualify for the tournament.
"The boys are a little ahead of the curve at this point on the season," the coach said. "You can go down the line, everyone is having a great season."
Kalnoski lauded the performances of three ninth graders. He said Adam Afellah, Anthony Frydlewicz and Zach Csekitz have made a relatively smooth transition to a more challenging training regimen.
The girls defeated Upper Merion 76-54 on Thursday, Dec. 14.
Santos won the 50 free (26.58) and the 100 butterfly (1:03.41). Forte added a first in the 200 free (2:13.2) and the 500 free (5:55.03). Smith won the 100 free (57.75) and the 100 backstroke (1:07.98).
Santoz, Smith and Kovalenko have hit qualifying district times in multiple events. Forte has reached that plateau in one race. Ysabelle Santos is close.
"The girls are right on schedule," Kalnoski said. "They are swimming well. I think it is a little harder for them to compete than the boys because they don't have as much depth."
Santos, Forte and Smith were each part of the winning 200 medley relay (2:06.35) and the 400 free relay (4:11.79). They teamed with Kovalenko in both events. Kovalenko added a first-place showing in the 200 individual medley at 2:30.57.
Both teams are scheduled to travel to Owen J. Roberts on Thursday for their final meet of the calendar year. The Indians will host Lower Moreland on Jan. 3.