Council Rock North took home the league trophy at the Suburban One League Patriot Division boys swimming championships, held on Friday night at CR North.
Council Rock South actually won the competition, amassing 482 points to CR North’s second-place score of 473, but the Golden Hawks did not win by a wide enough margin to overtake the Indians, who were undefeated in dual meets (4-0).
The Indians had a trio of swimmers who won two individual events apiece.
Sean Brush won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:45.46 and the 500 freestyle (4:53.78), Sebastian Vradinskiy was the winner of the 200 individual medley (2:00.18) and 100 breaststroke (59.07) while Connor Williams touched first in both the 50 freestyle (21.87) and 100 freestyle (49.00).
“I’m so happy,” said Williams, a junior. “I got PRs (personal records) in my 50 free and 100 free. Last year I got second in the 100 free so I was really happy to get first this year.
“Those are the events I’m looking at for districts. I’m really focused on the 50 free. I feel good about it. I’m going to try to break the (school) record which is 20.58 (Brandon McCredie, 2014). If I get to states, it will be my first time and I’m a junior now so the pressure is on but I like the challenge.
“Our team is smaller this year, so it was really great to win the league. Everybody stayed with it all season and we toughed it out.”
The Indians captured all three relays. They opened up the competition with a victory in the 200 medley relay. Brush, Vradinskiy, Nigel Lukomski-Pizzo and Williams touched in 1:38.29.
CR North’s Vradinskiy, Luciano DeRenzo, Mark Cai and Hayden Eshelman teamed up to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:30.27) and Brush, Lukomski-Pizzo, Eshelman and Williams closed out the evening with a win in the 400 freestyle relay (3:18.24).
“This meet is the most fun meet of the year,” said Eshelman, a sophomore. “The energy is insane. It’s unmatched. The adrenaline is pumping, we’re all excited to swim, we’re all excited to try to make districts.
“I think we swam fantastic. We won all three relays, which is nice. We didn’t win the meet, but we still won the league and that’s awesome. It’s the second year in a row that I’ve been able to hold the trophy. Last year I did it with my brother (Sam, who graduated in 2023) and it’s always amazing to win the league.
“Now I’m looking forward to districts and hopefully making it to states in the 50 free and the 200 and 400 free relays. Hopefully we can make it to states and I feel like we have a good squad.”
Council Rock South had a pair of gold medal winners, both sophomores.
Nikita Jenza took first the 100 butterfly (52.15) while Owen Hamnett won the 100 backstroke (52.96).
“I think our team swam really well, and I’m really proud of all of us,” Jenza said. “As our coach (Paul Hamnett) said, 90 percent of our team had best times, which I think is amazing. This meet is a lot of fun. Everyone’s hyped, everyone’s ready for it.
“This was my first time on the top of the podium and I’m 100 percent happy with that.
“I’m really looking forward to swimming the 100 fly in districts. That’s the one I’m really working for. I went to districts last year in an individual event and that was a good experience for me. My swims were all right, but I think I’ll do better this year.”
Ryan Brabazon was the lone medal winner for Neshaminy, placing third in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.54). Neshaminy was fourth in team scoring (208 points).
The SOL Freedom meet was held at Cheltenham. Chris Carroll won the 200 individual medley (2:04.71) for William Tennent. The Panthers were fifth in team scoring (241).
“I wasn’t really expecting that,” said Carroll, who won the 500 freestyle last year. “I knew the guy next to me (Joshua Ferker of Lower Moreland) was going to be my biggest competitor, and he was. It was a close race, and I was pretty excited to win. I’m really looking forward to districts now.”
The District One championships will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, at the York YMCA’s Graham Natatorium. Diving will be held at North Penn’s Rick Carroll Natatorium on Thursday.
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