Swimmers/divers from Pennsbury, Quakertown and Upper Moreland are featured in this week’s notebook.
National Conference
Nadel enjoys his first taste of districts - Connor Nadel had a blast at his first trip to the District One
Class AAA meet.
“I had a really fun time,” the Pennsbury junior said. “It was as big as I thought it would be and there were so many fast swims. You kind of get caught up in watching and have to remember you’re in the meet.”
He competed in the 100-yard butterfly and 100 backstroke and as a member of the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
“I’m really looking forward to hopefully coming back again next year,” he said.
Nadel has been swimming since eighth grade.
“I swam when I was younger and I got away from it but I wanted to get back in it,” he said. “I’m really happy I started again.”
In addition to swimming, he plays baseball.
“I’ve played baseball my entire life and there was a time when I considered baseball my main sport but now it’s swimming,” said Nadel, who plays third base and right field.
Pennsbury has won the SOL National Conference boys team title twice in a row.
“That’s been great and I think we’re going to be a really good team next year, too,” he said. “I can’t wait to see what we can do.
“Each of the last two years we’ve had a great Suburban meet and I’m very excited about that. Next year I want to be on the podium, that’s one of my goals. I’d like to do it in the fly and maybe the backstroke, too.”
He has not chosen a college yet, but would like to major in business before attending law school.
“I want to swim in college but I’ll forego swimming for the better academic school if that’s how it works out,” he said.
Continental Conference
Bennett impressive in district diving debut - Bayne Bennett made his first appearance at the District
One Class AAA boys diving competition count.
The Quakertown freshman posted an 11-dive score of 539.95 points to finish fourth in the event, held at North Penn. The top eight finishers in Class AAA advance to the PIAA meet.
“It was my first district meet, so I didn’t think I was going to get fourth but I had hopes of making it to states,” Bennett said. “I did well enough to make it.”
Although it was his first time at the district meet as a competitor, he had been at the meet the previous year as a spectator, watching sister Taylor dive.
“That was still helpful because even though I wasn’t competing I got to see what went on, what cuts were like and that sort of thing,” he said.
He is eager to get to the state competition.
“Going to states is very exciting,” he said. “It’s a big meet and I think I have a chance to do well. We’re in one of the hardest districts so placing well in District One is a good sign.
“I’m looking forward to states but I’m just going to go up there and see what happens. My goal is to just make it to the top 12 or 10 and really just to get a feel for it for next year.”
In addition to diving, Bennett played golf for Quakertown in the fall.
“It’s a nice chill thing,” he said. “I like having something that’s outside of diving.”
American Conference
District experience adds to good year for Spaeter - Johanna Spaeter was very busy at this year’s.JPG)
District One Class AA competition.
The Upper Moreland sophomore competed in all three relays; the 200-yard medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay as well as an individual event, the 100 backstroke.
“Last year I went to districts on the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay and that was such a good experience for me,” she said. “I had such a great time.
“This year swimming the 100 back was kind of weird because swimming an individual event is very different from swimming on a relay. With a relay you have your team behind you but with an individual event you’re on your own. It’s a lot of pressure but at the same time it’s great.”
Spaeter has been swimming since she was eight.
“Swimming is such a family sport for us,” she said. “My father George also swam for Upper Moreland and my older brother Greg and my older sister Kim swam here too. It’s great to be swimming after them. My sister was at the district meet to cheer me on.
“Again there’s some pressure to keep up my end but it’s a good pressure.”
When she isn’t in the pool, Spaeter can be found with the Upper Moreland marching band, where she plays the trumpet.
“The band placed first in states so I’ve had a great year so far,” she said.
She plans to enter medicine but has not chosen a specific field, considering becoming a registered nurse or possibly a surgeon.
“I’d love to go to college and swim but my field is really hard and you have to be able to balance everything so I’ll wait and see what happens,” she said.
“Right now I’m just looking forward to next year at Upper Moreland.”
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