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 girls’ 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: Elizabeth Crawford, Jr., 200 free/100 back; Kathryn Ricker, So., 50 free/100 breast; Coryn Sweeney, Sr., 100 fly/100 back; Caitlyn Altenburger, So., 200 free/100 fly; and Marina Eshelman, Jr., diver.
Prospects: The Crusaders have a chance to repeat after winning their first divisional title since the Mid-Penn’s founding in 1982. With a PR of 2:05.50 and a 100 fly PR of 1:05.76, Altenburger finished seventh in the 200 free as a freshman and earned a District 3 2A medal. With a PR of 2:06.37 in the race and 1:07.67 in the 100 back, Crawford finished one spot ahead of Altenburger on the District 3 2A 200 free podium. Sweeney, who finished eighth in the 100 back with a time of 1:04.63 and a time of 1:03.58 in the 100 fly, completes the returning District 3 2A medalists.
The Cedar Cliff
Cedar Cliff on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Joseph Chubb is the coach.
Important swimmers: Riley Emig, Sr., 50 back/100 back/100 free; Charlotte Louden, Sr., 50 free/100 free/100 fly.
Outlook: Louden and Emig, two senior leaders for the Colts, want to strengthen their team in the sprint events. Cedar Cliff anticipates the start of the season, which takes place from December 13 to 14, at the West Shore Invitational. As Chubb begins his tenth year leading the program, it will be interesting to monitor the newcomers Faith Mincer, Ariadne Villo, Gwyneth Edwards, Elizabeth McCurdy, and Emma Rainey.
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 Morgan Bishop, Sr., 200 IM/100 fly; MaKenna Brainard, Sr., back; and Maya Brainard, Sr., 50 free/100 free.
Prospects: The Warriors’ core group of Maya and MaKenna Brainard and Bishop is a diverse collection of talent that adds depth to the freestyle, backstroke, IM, and butterfly competitions. Watch junior Nicole Hasis compete in the backstroke and freestyle events as well. Turner is starting her 28th season as coach at Gettysburg, which is one of the longest tenures in the Mid-Penn.
Mechanicsburg
Mechanicsburg on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s swimming media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Coach: Mike Glumac
Important swimmers include: Olivia Sprankle, Jr., breaststroke/200 IM; Ava Keller Lee, So., 200free/500 free/fly; Johanna Runkle, Jr., 200 IM; Cassidy Crowther, Sr., backstroke; Carlee Erikson, Jr., sprint free; and Katelyn McKenney, Sr., sprint fly/free.
Outlook: Since the Wildcats presently play at Northern, the most talked-about aspect of their season is their much-anticipated January move to their new pool. Grace Evans and Crowther, two more senior backstrokers, join McKenney, who is the sprinting captain of Mechanicsburg. Long before the relocation in January, the Wildcats should be even more excited thanks to a strong junior class and a promising crop of freshmen.
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
Gracie Cunningham, Jr., diver; Julianna Wiltshire, Sr., 500 free; Roslyn Dietrich, So., 200 free/100 fly/200 free relay/200 medley relay; Calista Burns, Sr., 50 free/100 free/200 free relay/200 medley relay; Samara Kamau, Sr., 200 IM/100 breast/200 free relay/200 medley relay.
Outlook: The Spartans broke school records in the relays last season thanks in part to Burns, Kamau, and Dietrich. Wiltshire’s ability to backstroke also helps Milton Hershey’s distance races. Cunningham also makes a comeback after finishing sixth with 211 points on the District 3 2A diving podium.
MVP of the Keystone Division preseason
Bishop McDevitt, So., Caitlyn Altenburger
While on the awards stand, Bishop McDevitt snaps a selfie. At Cumberland Valley, during the District 3 Class 2A boys’ and girls’ swimming finals. March 3, 2023. Simmers, Sean PennLive.com/ssimmers
Altenburger’s first District 3 medal in the 200 free, where she maintains a personal record of 2:05.50, launched her off the page as a freshman. As soon as the Crusaders won their first divisional pennant in program history, she became an essential part of their machine. Altenburger, who excels in the 100 fly as well, should be a tremendous boost to Bishop McDevitt’s squad this winter.
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