As Pennsylvania’s high school swimming and diving season approaches, PennLive polled Mid-Penn Conference coaches to get a sneak peek at their teams for the 2024–25 season.
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Here are some predictions for the boys’ teams in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division this winter.
(Note: Red Land, Palmyra, Lower Dauphin, and CD East did not return surveys.)
McDevitt, Bishop
Bishop McDevitt on Nov. 14, 2024, at PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Kurt Sprowls is the coach.
Important swimmers include Ian Shyk, Jr., 200 free/100 free; Brad Warner, Jr., 50 free/100 free; Cayden McDonnell, Jr., diver; and RJ Duffy, Jr., 200 IM, 100 breast.
Outlook: The Crusaders, who just won the District 3 2A team title for the sixth consecutive year, will try to win it again. In addition to Mid-Penn silver in the 200 free relay and PIAA ninth in the 200 IM, Duffy earned District 3 2A gold in the 200 IM, 100 breast, and 200 free relay. Along with PRs of 21.86 in the 50 free, 48.27 in the 100 free, and 1:57.65 in the 200 IM, he also holds the Bishop McDevitt school record in the 100 breast, which is 59.10. McDonnell owns the school record in the 11-dive (376.10) and a PR of 234.90 in the 6-dive. He is also the current District 3 2A champion, eighth-place state medalist, and PennLive Diver of the Year. Warner boasts PRs of 23.83 in the 50 free and 52.05 in the 100 free. He was a member of Chambersburg’s Mid-Penn silver and District 3 3A gold 200 free relay quartet. Shyk boasts PRs of 51.40 in the 100 free and 1:52.90 in the 200 free, and he was also a part of the relay battery.
The Cedar Cliff
Lincoln Govelovich of Cedar Cliff at PennLive’s swimming media day on November 14, 2024.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Joseph Chubb is the coach.
Important swimmers: Theo Culleiton, sprint free/fly; Samuel Bitting, sprint free/back; and Lincoln Govelovich, Jr., sprint free/IM.
Prospects: The Colts should have a strong core with Govelovich thanks to the early success of two additions, Bitting and Culleiton. Chubb also starts his ninth season in charge. Additionally, on December 13 and 14, Cedar Cliff will host the third annual Zach Peiffer Memorial swimming and diving invitational.
Mechanicsburg
Mechanicsburg on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Coach: Mike Glumac
Principal swimmers include Cameron Gesell, Sr., 100 back/200 free/500 free; Owen Smith, Sr., 100 breast/200 IM; Tyler White, Jr., 100 fly; and Daryn Ginter, Sr., 50 free/100 free.
Outlook: Ginter, a commit to Bloomsburg University, holds the school records in the 50 and 100 freestyles. He placed third in the Mid-Penn championships with a mark of 59.73 in the 100 breast. Since the Wildcats currently play at Northern, their most notable shift on their radar is the much-anticipated relocation to their new pool in January.
Hershey, Milton
Milton Hershey on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Heather Dougherty, coach
Important swimmers include Karson Masser, Sr., 50 free/100 free; Nino Burroughs, Sr., 50 free/100 free; Jayson Glass, Sr., 200 free/500 free; and Bobby Gabriel, Sr., 100 back.
Outlook: Going into the season, the Spartans, who have a strong core around freestyle events, are led by Gabriel. Glass was a standout freshman the previous season and is sure to be a fixture at Milton Hershey for years to come. In their seventh year as program leaders, they will also be aiming to win a second consecutive Keystone Division sportsmanship award.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Amanda Turner is the coach.
Important swimmers include Luke Breighner, Sr., freestyles; Sam Coolbaugh, Jr., freestyles, 100 fly; and William Morris, Jr.
Prospects: Morris serves as the team’s captain and can compete in both sprint and distance freestyle competitions. In addition to being a senior captain, Breighner has developed into one of the Warriors’ best freestyle and backstroke swimmers. Last season, he made it to the Mid-Penn championship relay units at Gettysburg. Turner is starting her 28th season as coach at Gettysburg, which is one of the longest tenures in the Mid-Penn.
MVP of the Keystone Division preseason
Duffy, R.J. Jr. and McDevitt Bishop
On November 14, 2024, Bishop McDevitt’s RJ Duffy participated in PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Even though Duffy is a little busy getting ready for the Crusaders football team’s PIAA 5A championship this Friday, one of the best teams in the mid-state shouldn’t be deterred. As he prepares for another trip to Bucknell, the District 3 champion, state medalist, and school record holder will be leading his team’s attempt to win an eighth district banner.
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