SOL Boys/Girls Swimming Notebook (2-23-18)

Swimmers from Bensalem, Central Bucks South and Wissahickon are featured in this week’s notebook.

National Conference

 Mark Ferris, Bensalem
Mark Ferris’ final day of swimming was memorable.
The Bensalem senior went out with a bang at the SOL National Conference championships at Council Rock North.
“My last swim was the breaststroke and the entire team was standing at the end of my lane cheering for me and it was amazing,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough. They are what pushed me to do so well and really care about swimming.
“I can’t believe it’s over. It went by too fast and I had the time of my life on this team. There’s so much that I still wanted to do that I don’t have another chance to but I hope to be able to continue in college.”
He plans to attend Bucks County Community College for two years before transferring to University of the Sciences. He hopes to major in biology or microbiology and would love to become a paleontologist.
Ferris is a member of the Shafer Broad Street Club, practicing for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia.
“I’ve done it three times and it’s so much fun, but I never considered running track instead of swimming,” he said. 
Bensalem opened up a new eight-lane pool this season.
“It was amazing,” he said of the new facility. “The first time I walked in I was in complete shock and awe. It’s beautiful.
“There’s so much room on the deck. That’s the first thing I noticed. We have a huge time board and it actually works. I love it. 
“I’m so happy I was able to swim there for one year. Honestly I would love to have had it for longer but at least I got to experience it and enjoy it.”

Continental Conference

Elizabeth Pluznyk, Central Bucks South
Elizabeth Plyznyk knew she was going to be a swimmer at an early age.
“From the time I was little I always loved the water,” said the senior captain at Central Bucks South. “It just came naturally to me. My mom got me into swim lessons, and from there, some friends asked me to go to their swim meet.
“I was just so excited that this was a sport. That was a real eye-opener for me.”
She and her teammates competed at the conference championship meet.
“I was so proud of how well everyone on our team swam,“ she said. “Everyone worked so hard and it was just the cherry on the season to see everyone coming out of the pool with such big smiles.
“I’m so sad that it was one of my last meets. I loved every minute of being on this team and I wouldn’t trade the last four years for anything.”
She will attend the District One Class 3A meet as an alternate for the 400 freestyle relay, but has a chance to swim if the Titans are able to get the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays to districts.
“I will be sure to make these next few days count while swimming alongside some of the most talented and kindhearted people I know,” she said.
She is undecided on a college but is considering Penn State or Temple and would like to major in environmental engineering.
“I hope to make a difference,” she said.
Her focus outside of the pool is on academics.
“I have a lot of AP classes so that takes up my time,” she said.

American Conference

Katie Sapozhnikov, Wissahickon
Katie Sapozhnikov is ready to up the ante.
The Wissahickon sophomore went to the PIAA Class 3A competition last year as a member of Wissahickon’s 400-yard freestyle relay.
This year, she would like to reach the state meet in an individual event.
“That’s what I’m hoping for this year,” she said. “Going to states as a freshman was really a great experience for me. It was so much fun and I loved seeing how fast everyone was.”
She will compete in the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle at the District One meet.
“I’m really focused on the fly more than the 500,” she said. “That’s been my main thing for longer than I’ve been swimming the 500.
“I’m really excited about districts and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve worked really hard preparing for it and I can’t wait to see what happens.”
She is a member of the Key Club, Robotics and the Health Careers Club at Wissahickon.
Additionally, she coaches for the Wissahickon Community Aquatic Club.
She would like to swim in college but has not gotten serious about school selection yet.
“I still have time,” she said. “I’m thinking about majoring in biomedical engineering but I’m not sure yet.”
She has been swimming since the age of four.
“When I was younger I tried a lot of other sports but I really like the atmosphere of swimming,” she said. “I liked how competitive it is. I also liked how it’s an individual sport but there’s a team aspect to it as well.”