At the Cumberland Valley Natatorium, a number of returning stars are vying for top podium positions as the Mid-Penn Conference swim championships begin this week. Doors open on Friday at 4 p.m., and after the diving component is finished, the first events start at 6 p.m. At 12 p.m. on Saturday, the second day of the meet begins.
Given the large number of reentering district and state medalists, PennLive evaluated a few contenders who have the potential to have a significant influence at the conference meet. Here are five girls to keep an eye on during the Mid-Penn championships, without further ado.
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Johnson, Mary Boone, Cumberland ValleyBoone has established herself as one of the conference’s most tough opponents, not just in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth. Throughout the entire Mid-Penn, the youngster has placed in the top four in five different events: the 50 free (24.63, fourth place), the 100 free (53.54, third place), the 200 free (1:54.26, second place), the 500 free (5:03.27, second place), and the 50 fly (28.09, fourth place).
Buckman, Addison Jr., Cumberland ValleyAfter finishing sixth in the PIAA 3A 100 fly last year, Buckman is hoping to visit Bucknell again this playoffs. With the top 50 fly time (26.46) in the Mid-Penn and the No. 2 100 fly time (56.36), the Eagles standout is, however, one of the best butterfly specialists in central Pennsylvania. In the backstroke events, Buckman has also recorded some of the conference’s top times.
The Cumberland Valley’s Katie Chang, SeniorWith a time of 1:08.73 in the 100-meter version of the backstroke at the Mid-Penn this winter, Chang has established a strong senior season. Chang’s timing of 32.07 in the 50-breed is the third-fastest time of the entire conference.
Gratz, Jr. Emerson, State CollegeSince starting the season with a PR of 5:15.89 in the 500 free, Gratz has significantly improved, cutting it down by five seconds to 5:10.52. In addition to having the third-fastest 200-free time (1:57.65), the time ranks third in the Mid-Penn. Gratz might be the difference-maker for a Little Lions team vying for a championship.
Boiling Springs, So. Piper HeymanHeyman competed in the 100-free preliminary round of the PIAA 2A meet at Bucknell as a freshman the previous season. Heyman’s score of 54.49 places him fourth in the league overall and first in the 2A classification when compared to 3A schools in the Mid-Penn. In addition to ranking first at 2A, her 50 free time of 24.82 places her fifth in the Mid-Penn.
Northern, Morgan Keefer, Sr.Seeing what Keefer can achieve this postseason will be fascinating. The senior, who is one of the best breaststroke specialists in the state, is making the most of her final varsity run after competing in the PIAA 3A championships last year despite having a fractured foot. She also holds the third-best time this season in the Mid-Penn with a timing of 1:07.09 in the 100 breast.
Kesterson, Avery, So., HersheyWith the losses of Maddie Serfass, Lydia McMullen, and Natalie Colarossi, the Trojans lost some key players, but even as an underclassman, Kesterson is now unquestionably a cornerstone of the team. Throughout the whole Mid-Penn season, Kesterson has finished in the top five in five different events: the 50 back (27.31, first), the 100 back (58.39, third), the 50 fly (27.97, third), the 100 fly (1:00.08, fourth), and the 200 IM (2:11.78, third).
Waynesboro’s Eve Phillips, SeniorOne cannot ignore the Indians veteran, who is the current District 3 champion and a PIAA 3A medalist in the 50 free. One of the best sprint freestylists in Pennsylvania, Phillips has the third-fastest 50-free time in the Mid-Penn this season (24.34), and he is ranked second in the 100-free (53.18).
Ritchie, Margot Jr., ChambersburgLast year, Ritchie earned a ticket to her first PIAA 3A meet at Bucknell after winning bronze in the 200 free at both the Mid-Penn and District 3 finals. It is noteworthy that Ritchie also set a new team record for the Trojans in the 100 back. This postseason, there might be even more podium stands.
Siekman, Gabby, So., State CollegeSiekman is having one of the most eye-popping seasons of any underclassman. Siekman entered the Mid-Penn meet with the fourth-best time in four events this winter: the 200 free (1:57.90), 500 free (5:15.55), 50 back (28.02), 100 back (1:00.14), and 200 IM (2:13.52).
Watschke, Madison Sr., State CollegeWith four individual gold medals from the Mid-Penn and District 6 3A championships last year alone, Watschke is as decorated a Little Lion as they come. Along with the second-fastest 200 IM mark of 2:06.98, the Miami Ohio signee has set the Mid-Penn records for the 50 breast (30.70) and 100 breast (1:04.25) this season. In addition, Watschke is among the conference’s best butterfly swimmers.
Workman, Molly Jr., State CollegeIt cannot be sugarcoated. The University of Virginia commit and current PennLive Swimmer of the Year is a box office success while competing in the Cumberland Valley’s natatorium. She has broken and reset Mid-Penn and District 6 records, won PIAA 3A gold medals, and spent the majority of her career riding the top ranking in Pennsylvania’s Class of 2026. Workman is unavoidable since he has the best time in seven different events and is at least the second best in the others.
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