This week’s notebook features swimmers from Bensalem and Central Bucks West and recaps Springfield’s trip to the All American Invitational.
National Conference
Gardyasz happy to be back – Mark Gardyasz has had a rather checkered swimming career.
The Bensalem senior didn’t go out for the team until his sophomore year, then missed his junior year due to work obligations.
But he is back and ready to give it his all.
“I really missed swimming and being part of the team last year,” he said. “So when the opportunity came to go out for it again I did it.”
The team now swims exclusively at Robert K. Shafer Middle School, which it shares with Holy Ghost Prep and Nazareth Academy.
“We used to practice at the high school pool but once they started doing the renovations at our school, the pool area was the first one they shutdown,” he said. “That’s been rough because everyone who doesn’t drive has to figure out a way to get to the pool after school.”
As a result, numbers are down, but the swimmers who are there are dedicated.
“We don’t have a lot of people, but the ones we do have are really into it,” he said. “Everyone gives it their all, every time, and everyone is always cheering. Our team has a lot of heart.”
With those smaller numbers come opportunities.
“Everyone swims as many times as they can,” he said. “So every time you go into a meet, you know you are going to swim in two individual events and two relays. I’m sure that’s not the case for the big teams; some of those kids don’t get to swim as many races as we do.”
The Owls are now eying the Suburban One League National Conference championships as their season finale.
“We’re going into it with the idea that we’ll do our best and try to beat our own times,” he said. “If we can do that, then we’ll be really happy.
“I’ve had so much fun being on the team again, and I’m so glad I was able to do this.”
Continental Conference
Seiden leads the Bucks - Maddie Seiden is a veteran swimmer.
The Central Bucks West senior captain started her swim career as many do, summer swimming at Fanny Chapman.
“My mother was the captain of her high school swim team so it just seemed like a natural thing to do,” Seiden 
said. “I began swimming at around age eight, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
She takes the responsibility of being a team captain very seriously.
“We have a lot of freshmen this year and it’s important that I help them feel comfortable and welcome,” she said. “Our team is a lot more about bonding and doing our best than it is about winning. We’re trying to make a community through swimming.
“It’s so hard to believe that my high school career is almost over. It’s really flown by.”
When she isn’t in the pool, Seiden’s musical side takes over. She plays the piccolo in the marching band and also plays the flute. She sings in the choir and she sings the national anthem for the Bucks before every home meet.
“I really enjoy music,” she said.
She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the German Honor Society.
She has not chosen a college yet but is considering Temple and Duquesne and would like to major in health sciences and is leaning toward a career in physical therapy.
“I plan on keeping up with swimming so I would definitely swim recreationally,” she said. “I can’t see myself giving it up. “
American Conference
Spartans at All American Invitational - Springfield finished fifth in both boys and girls teams coring at the All American Invitational, held at the Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes Barre.
Tyler Chamberlin was the top finisher for the Spartans, taking second in the 100-yard backstroke in 59.16.
Danny Giampietro took fourth in the 500 freestyle (4:51.45) and fifth in the 200 freestyle (1:47.20) for Springfield.
Jake Corcoran, Chamberlin, Wyatt Ford and Giampietro took fifth in the 200 medley relay (1:41.28) and Corcoran, Ben Wiley, Chamberlin and Giampietro finished sixth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:32.35).
For the girls, Margrethe Leis placed third in the 500freestyle (5:23.73) and sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:59.62).
Lizzie Nadolski was fourth in the 50 freestyle (25.16) and sixth in the 100 freestyle (55.35) and Alyssa LoRusso was eighth in the 100backstroke (1:07.13).
Leis, Brittany Chamberlin, Katie Quigg and Nadolski finished fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:57.30) and Leis, Carly Munger, LoRusso and Nadolski were fourth in the 400 freestyle relay (3:44.63).
The boys posted a team score of 148 while there girls finished with 233.5 points. North Allegheny won both genders, scoring 751 for the boys and 797 for the girls.
Other competitors at the meet included Radnor, Hempfield, Holy Redeemer and Southern Lehigh.
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