This week’s notebook features swimmers from CR North, CB West and Cheltenham. To view photos of last Saturday’s Cardinal Carnival and Thursday's Hatboro-Horsham/Williams Tennent, please visit the Photo Gallery.
National Conference
Boodey looking to finish strong - Geoff Boodey is a man with a plan.
The Council Rock North senior knows what he wants to accomplish in this, his final year of high school swimming.
“My goal is to finish in the top 10 at districts in an individual event,” he said.
Boodey is targeting the 50 and 100-yard freestyles.
“Those are my favorites,” he said.
He was a District One Class AAA qualifier in both events last year and finished 15th in the 50 freestyle.
Last season he went to the PIAA Class AAA championships as a member of both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Jake Goroshko, Steve Sekula and Brandon McCredie were also on both relays. The foursome made the consolation heat in both events, finishing 16th in the 400 freestyle relay and 11th in the 200 freestyle relay.
“The best part is that all four of us are back,” Boodey said. “Jake is a sophomore this year, Steve is a senior and Brandon is a junior.
“I definitely want to go to states again with the relays. Last year was so much fun. I wouldn’t trade that experience for a million dollars.”
The Indians are the defending conference champions.
“I’m so pumped about our team,” Boodey said. “This is one of the best teams we’ve had in the four years I’ve been here and the goal is to win the conference again.
“We’re hoping to place in the top five in team standings at districts. If we do that it would complete my senior year.”
Older brother David is entering his senior year at Drexel where he is a member of the swim team.
“We’re four years apart so we were never on the same team,” Boodey said. “He’s a distance swimmer and I’m a sprinter so we’re very different swimmers.”
One thing he would like to emulate is a college swim career.
“I’m definitely looking to swim in college but I don’t know where yet,” he said.
Continental Conference
MacMillan has sights set high - It’s a season full of potential for the Central Bucks West girls.
At least that’s how Quinn MacMillan sees it.
“This could be a really big year for us,” said MacMillan, a junior. “Our team has a lot of freshmen who are contributing, and we have a lot of room to grow and beat our times.”
The Bucks are in a difficult conference.
“It’s really hard to move up and we have a small team, but we’re more concerned with everyone’s individual improvement,” she said. “We have a lot of people with the potential to make it to districts this year, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and seeing how we do.”
MacMillan was a PIAA Class AAA qualifier in two events last year, finishing 17th in the 100 freestyle and 28th in the 200 freestyle. She was also seventh in the 100 freestyle and 12th in the 200 freestyle at the District One Class AAA meet.
“I’m definitely going to work really hard this year to get back to states,” she said. “My aspirations are higher this year.
“After this summer I realized how much hard work can get you, so I have higher goals for myself this year and I think they’re attainable.”
She is the youngest member of a swimming family. Older sisters Molly and Colleen both swam for the Bucks.
“I do feel the pressure to live up to them,” she said. “Swimming is a huge tradition in my family but it’s fun to be a part of that, too, because it is something we do as a family.”
American Conference
Panthers starting strong - Things are going well for the Cheltenham girls.
The Panthers began their season with a win over Neshaminy, then made a good showing at the Upper Dublin Cardinal Carnival.
“It’s been a great season so far,” said senior Lizzie Richart. “We have a lot of new swimmers and the returning swimmers are improving, so everything just keeps getting better.”
“We’re in a difficult conference so we don’t really look at success in terms of wins and losses. For us, it’s definitely in individual improvements.
“If you do your best time everyone on our team is cheering so hard for you, even if you didn’t win the race. It’s all about the personal effort. Everyone is working so hard and I’m so proud of everyone.”
Richart is a captain this year.
“There’s more pressure to be a leader,” she said. “But all the seniors are really excited. Our goal is for everyone to have a lot of fun while still working hard and doing their best.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see what we can do this season.”
Richart has some personal goals as well.
“I’d really like to break a minute in the 100 fly,” she said. “That’s my ultimate goal. For everything else I’d just like to drop some time.”
Her future is already planned. She will continue her swim career at Susquehanna, where she plans to major in business.
“I’m really excited to see what I can do there,” she said.
In addition to swimming, Richart is a member of the National Honor Society and S.A.D.D.
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