Swimmers from Tennent, Pennridge and PW are highlighted in this week's notebook.
National Conference
Del Conte a natural fit in the pool - Tom Del Conte likes trying new things.
T
he William Tennent senior never swam competitively until his freshman year, at the urging of teammate Matt Patrick.
“I didn’t even know swimming was a sport,” he said. “Matt talked me into it so I did it and I wouldn’t take it back for the world.”
He used to play football but gave it up this year to focus on swimming, and he is also on the volleyball team.
“I like the diversity of being a multi-sport athlete,” he said.
He is leaning toward attending La Salle and getting a business degree.
“Right now I’m looking at management and leadership and a minor in Spanish, but I’m not exactly sure yet,” he said.
True to form, he hopes to pick up a new sport.
“I’d like to try crew,” he said. “I had a great experience with swimming and it’s taught me so much but I’d like to switch it up.”
He swims the second leg of Tennent’s 200-yard freestyle relay along with Brennen Bastian, Patrick and Mark Preedy. The foursome finished fifth at the District One Class AAA meet and earned an automatic spot at the PIAA championships.
“We felt good about this relay,” he said. “We went to states last year with it and three of the four of us were back. Mark replaced Ian Forlini and he really stepped up.
“States last year was a great experience. We saw so many amazing swimmers and talent from outside of our own district and I’m glad we get to do it again.”
Continental Conference
Zurmuhl golden at districts - Hannah Zurmuhl is thrilled with how well she and her Pennridge teammates swam at this year’s District One Class AAA meet.
The Rams finished second in team scoring to North Penn, and Zurmuhl left the meet with some serious hardware, taking three gold medals and a silver.
“It’s really amazing,” said Zurmuhl, a junior. “We’ve come up so much and it’s been great.”
Zurmuhl won the 50 freestyle in 23.30, tying the meet record. She was second in the 100 freestyle (51.15). She was also on two winning and district record setting relays; the 200 medley relay (1:44.65) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:25.59). Anna Beno, Brittany Weiss and Morgan Scott were on both relays with her.
Although she has been swimming since third grade, she didn’t take it seriously until seventh grade.
“That’s when I started club swimming and really becoming a competitive swimmer,” she said.
She is the younger sister of another sprinter, David Zurmuhl. After a standout career at Pennridge, he is now swimming at Cornell.
“I actually started swimming before he did but he’s an inspiration to me,” she said. “He works his butt off at Cornell and I’d like to swim in college too.”
She is still looking at colleges and is pondering a major in communications.
“Right now I’m just looking forward to states,” she said. “Last year Brittany went by herself so we’re giving her some company this time.
“It’s going to be so much fun to be there with three of my best friends.”
American Conference
Fisher add name to record books - Sarah Fisher finished her season with a bang.
The Plymouth-Whitemarsh junior set a school record in the100-yard breaststroke at the District One Class AAA meet with her 12th place time of 1:07.92.
“That was my goal so I’m really happy,” she said. “Our 400 free relay just missed the school record so hopefully we’ll get that next year.”
The 400 freestyle relay of Gianna Gross, Fisher, Emily Dinda and Hannah McGee was 22nd (3:44.27) and the 200 medley relay of Alena DiSanto, Fisher, McGee and Gross was 13th (1:52.92).
Fisher has been swimming since she was eight but didn’t become a year-round swimmer until she turned 13.
“My parents didn’t want me to turn into one of those crazy swim kids who doesn’t do anything else,” she said. “They wanted me to wait awhile and I’m glad I did that.”
When she isn’t swimming, Fisher is very active in service organizations.
She is in Schools for Sustainability, a service organization that raises funds to help build schools in impoverished areas. She also helps with Benefit for a Friend, an organization that raises funds for different charities in memory of the son of a teacher who died in an accident.
She is also helping with a concert for Billy Kim, a 2012 PW graduate who needs a kidney transplant.
“It feels really good to help out,” she said.
She is unsure of a college but would like to swim and is considering majoring in physical or occupational therapy.
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