Kathy Bernardi has a much greater comfort level with her Norwin swimmers as she begins her second season with the program.
“We have a great group of guys willing to work hard to improve — another small team, but we picked up several brand-new swimmers who are willing to do whatever they can to improve,” Bernardi said of the boys squad. “We have strong leadership and enthusiasm from older swimmers and great work ethic from new, younger swimmers.”
As for the girls, the coach said they are “another great group who are inclusive and encouraging and positive. They work hard and are committed to each other and the team.”
Juniors lead way for boys
Key returners include versatile junior Aidan Samuels, who was 13th in the WPIAL 200-yard individual medley and 14th in the 100 butterfly, junior sprinter Liam Samuels (50 free, 100 back) and sophomore Ellis Slavin (200 free, 500 free).
Others to watch include junior Preston Montag (200 free, 500 free), who missed the WPIAL 500 free cut by a tenth of a second last year, and senior Korbin Holliday (50 free).
Three new freshmen are backstroker/butterflyer Grant Friday, sprinter Evan Bowen and distance hopeful Luke Detschedt.
PIAA qualifers pace girls
Edinboro commit Kismet Juart, a senior, returns after placing 26th in the 100 freestyle, despite a sprained ankle. She was part of the freestyle relay that qualified for the PIAA championships.
Also back is multiskilled junior Amber Klingensmith, who broke the Norwin pool record in the 100 backstroke and qualified for PIAAs in that event and the 100 butterfly. She also anchored the freestyle relay.
Sophomore Remi Detschelt was a WPIAL qualifier in the 50 free and swam a leg of the free relay.
Others looking to make contributions to the team and find their way into the individual postseason include sophomore Amelia Vecchio (100 breast), junior Olivia Ochap (200 free, 200 IM) and senior Chloe Verdin (50 free).
New faces include freshman Adelle Brown and senior Adeline Byars, who comes back after not swimming last year.