Swimmers from Bensalem, Hatboro-Horsham and Cheltenham are featured in this week’s SOL notebook.
National Conference
Bensalem’s O’Boyle aiming for districts - At Bensalem, it’s not about winning meets. With so few numbers, the Owls know they have little chance of that.
It’s about personal performances and being a team.
“Honestly it doesn’t matter to me whether we win or lose the meet,” senior captain Joey O’Boyle said. “I just focus on my own times and cheering for my teammates to do their best times. That’s how it is here.
“Everyone gives their best effort and that’s all anyone can do, and our team is always cheering and supporting each other.
O’Boyle is Bensalem’s best hope for a District One Class AAA qualifier this year and is eying the 100-yard breaststroke and 100 butterfly.
“I’d really like to get to districts this year because this is my last year and I want to see how far I can go,” he said.
Bensalem has not qualified a swimmer for the district meet since 2011, when Michael Brockett finished 36th in the 200 individual medley and 52nd in the 100 butterfly.
In addition to swimming, O’Boyle is active in Bensalem’s Varsity Club.
“It’s a club for varsity athletes and people who excel in the classroom,” he said. “We do things around the school like help out with concession stands. It’s tied to athletics but it isn’t a sport and it’s nice to do something else.”
He’d like to swim in college and has had some interest.
“Right now my main choice is Arcadia,” he said. “I have no idea what I’m going to major in but I’ll figure it out.”
Continental Conference
H-H’s Emig looking to finish strong - Success is a great motivator for Grace Emig.
The Hatboro-Horsham senior got a taste of the PIAA meet last year and liked it.
“I’ve been working a lot harder this year after my relay made it to states last year,” said Emig, who went to the PIAA Class AAA meet last season as a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay. “That’s really motivated me to work even harder this year.
“That was my first time at states, and it was so much fun that I really want to go back.”
She is the daughter of Hatters head coach Kip Emig.
“I guess that can be a little awkward, but I really like having him as my coach and I don’t think I’d want anyone else,” she said. “Really, he’s a very good coach and I feel comfortable with the situation.”
She hasn’t chosen a college yet but is considering Temple, which does not have a swim team, or Widener.
“I’m trying to get into nursing and that’s a very demanding major,” she said. “I want to swim but maybe that would be on a club team.”
She still has the rest of this season to look forward to.
“I think it’s going to be a great season for our team,” she said. “Our conference is hard but that’s motivating. I like having that kind of competition.”
She has her eye on the 50-yard freestyle.
“That’s the event I’m really targeting this year,” she said.
She is the vice president of the Future Medical Leaders of America Club at Hatboro-Horsham and is part of the advisory board, which helps organize school events.
American Conference
Cheltenham’s Williams starting off strong - For Erik Williams, swimming is a big priority.
Although only a freshman at Cheltenham, he’s made a big splash for the Panthers this year as his years of dedication to the sport are beginning to pay off.
He’s been swimming since the age of five and has forsaken all other sports for swimming.
“I tried track but that was just to help build up my endurance for swimming,” Williams said. “I also played football but I gave that up because it interfered with swimming.”
He feels good about his first season of high school swimming.
“I’m having fun but I’m also working hard,” he said. “Swimming for the high school team is great and it’s a great motivator. I have to make sure my grades are good so I can keep swimming with the team.
“I’m excited about this season. There’s a long way to go still but even though I’m a freshman I feel as though I fit in and that I’m contributing. I want to try to help make sure everyone on our team is swimming to their full potential.”
Williams is hoping to see his name on the record board at Cheltenham and has his eye on the 100-yard freestyle.
“The current record is a 49 and I’m at a 52 so I think I can make it,” he said. “I’m a freshman so I have time.”
He is looking to his future and would like to swim in college.
“I definitely want to go for a scholarship in swimming,” he said. “I don’t have a college in mind yet, but maybe Howard. I want to get a good education.”
He is considering following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a dentist.
“That way we can keep it all in the family,” he said.
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