Highlighting SOL Swimmers (Vol. 2)

02/03/11 1:16am Posted by admin_user

Highlighting…

Taylor Jeronis, Senior – Pennsbury High School

Coach John Wilson calls Taylor Jeronis a ‘silent cowboy type of a guy.’

“He does his thing and does it well,” Wilson said of his senior captain.

Jeronis is a four-year district qualifier for the defending conference champion Falcons, and this season he has quietly posted district qualifying times in five events – the 100 butterfly, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free and 200 IM.

“The butterfly is his main stroke, but he’s an IMer as well and also can swim anything well,” Wilson said. “We often have him swim the 500 as well.”

Last year, Jeronis was the alternate on Pennsbury’s free relay that qualified for the state meet.

“He’s a very good point getter and a great dual meet swimmer,” Wilson said. “He was like the odd man out on the relay last year because we had a really strong team.

“He was just on the edge of that but still good enough to swim on it. Just a tenth of a second off was all he would have had to do to knock somebody out.”

This year, Wilson is looking for Jeronis - who has dropped his times significantly each year at districts – to take the next step and earn a berth in states.

“He’s just a real, real hard worker,” Wilson said. “He’s a quiet young guy, but he’s a leader in practice.”

This past summer, the senior captain was the high point winner for the Brookside Swim Team 15-and-over age group.

He achieved USA Swimming Super Sectional Time in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:58.14.

It could well be an omen of things to come as Jeronis looks to finish out his final high school season strong.

About Taylor

How long have you been swimming competitively? I have been swimming competitively for eight years. I started when I was nine years old in a summer league and then joined Pennsbury Aquatics Club and USA Swimming.

Favorite memory competing in swimming: One of my favorite memories was when I got my first USA Swimming Eastern Zone cut. It was in the 100 Butterfly for long course meters.

My role model is: My current club coach Dean Hutchinson. I have learned a lot about perseverance and determination. Dean’s determination is what inspires me and makes me believe that even when faced with obstacles – hard work and determination can help you achieve great things.

Music that gets me pumped: I like to listen to upbeat, electronic dance music to get pumped up. Groups like Dead Mau5, Tiesto, Eric Prydz and Basshunter

Favorite TV show: The Mentalist

Favorite school subject: Chemistry

Chocolate or vanilla: Definitely chocolate

Kody Veit, Senior – Souderton Area High School

One spot separated Kody Veit from a trip to the PIAA State meet last year.

The then Souderton junior came out of nowhere and qualified 33^rd in the state in the 500 meter free. Thirty-two swimmers advanced to states.

“I think that’s really motivated him to want to get there this year,” coach Todd Bauer said of his senior captain.

Veit served early notice that he would be a force to contend with this year, winning the 500 free in the 56-team field at the Bucknell Invitational to open the season.

Not a bad start for a swimmer that, according to Bauer, probably weighs 125 pounds dripping wet.

“The thing that stands out most about Kody is he’s small in stature, but he’s maybe the top guy on our team,” the Indians’ coach said. “He’s absolutely the leader of the team.

“I took a vote for captain and every single guy voted for Kody this year. He’s the hardest worker, and it’s easy when your hardest worker is a senior and your captain. Sometimes you have kids that are great leaders, but kids don’t respect them as much because they’re faster than them.

“Kody is everything rolled into one – he’s a good student, a hard worker and he’s fast.”

This season, Veit is the point leader for the Indians and – although the 500 is his best event - is also their most versatile swimmer.

“He’s really developed,” Bauer said. “He was always a kid – we’d say, ‘Man, Kody would be so good if he was bigger,’ but for some reason, he’s been able to overcome the size disadvantage.

“The 500 – if you’re a long kid, that really helps. You can’t teach height, but he seems to have pushed it away, and it doesn’t seem to bother him.

“Aside from his performances in meets and practice, he is doing an even better job as a leader. We’re excited to see what he can accomplish at the end of the season.”

It’s an ending that promises to be interesting.

About Kody:

How long have you been swimming competitively? I have been swimming competitively since I was eight years old on the Harleysville community swim team.

Favorite memory competing in swimming: My favorite memories are always at the end of every high school year swimming at districts and dropping time. Last year at districts, I swam the 500 and dropped almost 10 seconds off my time and just missed states by one spot. As tough as it was accepting that, I was thrilled with my swim.

My role model is: My role model is probably Mr. Bauer because he has not only helped me improve over the past four years in swimming and water polo (when he assisted coaching), but he also has helped me in school through being a teacher and demonstrating good morals in life.

Music that gets me pumped: I like to listen to music that is more fast-paced and quick, anything from rap to alternative rock music, anything that can block out everything around me to help me focus on prepping my body for my upcoming races.

Favorite TV show: Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory

Favorite subject: Astronomy

Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate

Chet Brasberger, Senior – Norristown High School

Chet Brasberger is a captain and leader of this year's Norristown squad, and although the Eagles haven't experienced a whole lot of success as a team, that hasn't stopped the senior sprinter from excelling.

A case in point was the Eagles' meet against district powerhouse Upper Dublin when Brasberger won both of his events, the 50 and 100 free.

"Upper Dublin is a much stronger team," coach Derek Hartman said. "They're a powerhouse in our league, and a lot of the guys were pretty intimidated swimming against them, but definitely not Chet.

"He's one person who took the increased competition to bring himself to the next level and swam his best time and won both events. He's not somebody who would say, 'Okay, I don't have to swim that hard because I know I'm going to lose.' He took it to the next level."

Beth O’Neil, the coach of the girls' team, has known Brasberger since he was five years old. One thing has always remained the same.

“Chet is a harder worker,” the Norristown coach said. “Swimming is something he has always excelled in.

“He’s very quiet, but he’s a real contributor to the team.”

"He's very reliable in his individual events," Hartman added. "He's pretty consistent with winning first place every time he swims."

Brasberger grew up swimming for the community aquatic program and the local swim club.

As a sophomore, he missed a good portion of the year with an arm injury, but he’s come back strong and is close to making districts in his best events – the 50 free and 100 free.

“I don’t think he realizes how good he is,” O’Neil said. “For so many years, the boys’ team has not won many meets, and they don’t know what it’s like to win.”

Brasberger, according to O’Neil, is also a good breaststroker, but the Eagles rely on him to pick up points in the freestyle events.

“He’s definitely more of a sprinter than a distance swimmer,” O’Neil said. “There have been times he’s done the breaststroke in the medley relay, but he is used more for the 100 free for points.

“Chet practices hard. This year he really stepped up and has been an example to the younger swimmers.”

In other words, he’s been a perfect choice to serve as captain of the Eagles.

"His leadership might be quiet, but he definitely sets an example by how hard he works during practice," Hartman said. "It definitely shows with his success in the pool in competition.

"He's a great kid. He's really funny, and he does have a really good relationship with the guys on the team, and that helps."

About Chet:

How long have you been swimming competitively? 10 years

Favorite memory competing in swimming: Our previous coach used to punch himself in the face before each swim meet to get the team psyched…it was pretty amazing!

Connect with Us!