SOL Boys/Girls Swimming Notebook (2-8-18)

Swimmers from CR North, Pennridge and Springfield Township are featured in this week’s notebook.

SOL National Conference

Ryan Lawlor, Council Rock North
Council Rock North senior Ryan Lawlor didn’t want his high school career to end without a dual meet victory over one of his team’s biggest rivals, Pennsbury.
He saw that happen when the Indians defeated the Falcons, 96-87.
“I’d been looking forward to the Pennsbury meet since our winter break,” Lawlor said. “I was excited and nervous at the same time. It was the one we had to win if we wanted to have a chance to win the league.
“It was really a good meet. Everyone swam so well. It was a huge win for us and now I have a lot of confidence in our team. I think we’ll swim well at champs and beyond.”
Lawlor has been swimming since he was six years old and his older sister, Colleen, also swam for the Indians.
“When we lived in Newtown Crossing my dad (Rich) knew some people who were involved with the swim team there so he got involved with it and the rest of us followed and it just went from there,” Lawlor said.
His father is still involved, serving as the president of Council Rock Aquatics and operating the computer for CR North home meets.
Lawlor would like to major in computer science and has applied to Franklin & Marshall, Fairfield, Lehigh, Drexel and Wesley.
“I’m really indecisive about stuff like that,” he said. “If I had to pick a favorite right now it would be Franklin & Marshall or Fairfield. They’re both really nice. My sister goes to F&M so I’ve been there a lot.”
In addition to swimming he is a member of the National Honor Society.

SOL Continental Conference

Ethan Lionetti, Pennridge
Ethan Lionetti has been swimming for a very long time.
“I was five years old so going on 12 years now,” said Lionetti, a junior at Pennridge. “My mom swam and so did my older brother Aaron. He was friends with Brittany Weiss (2016 PIAA champion in the 100 backstroke) so I grew up in this clan of Pennridge swimmers.”
His goal to swim an individual event at the District One Class 3A competition will come true as he recently made the automatic cut in the 100-yard breaststroke in a meet against Quakertown.
“I’m really excited because last year I only made consideration and I didn’t get in,” he said. “I’m also really close in the individual medley. The cut is 2:05.17 and I’m at a 2:05.24 so I’m hoping to get that automatic during our championships or at a last chance meet.
“Our medley relay is really close so it would be good to get that out as well.”
Lionetti is a three-sport athlete, also playing water polo and volleyball for the Rams and he would like to play water polo in college.
“Not many schools have it so that’s going to limit where I go,” he said. “I’d like to major in chemistry but I also like geology so maybe geochemistry. That’s what is interesting to me. I’m not sure but I do know that I can do a lot with a science degree so I like that I’ll have a lot of options.”

SOL American Conference

Megan Leibfried, Springfield
Megan Leibfried has been going to the state meet since her freshman year.
Now the Springfield senior is hoping her final season will be her best.
“I think going to states every year has been a great experience for me,” Leibfried said. “Each state meet I went to prepared me for the next one and each time it’s so exciting. It’s such a fast pool and the competition is always great. It’s always a blast.”
She began swimming at age five, following in the footsteps of her older sister Elizabeth who swam as a freshman at Springfield before starting to dive.
“I stuck with swimming and I don’t regret it,” Liebfried said.
She has some personal goals this year.
“I’d like to get the school record in the 50 freestyle,” she said. “It’s a 24.57. I’d also like to drop to a 58 in the 100 backstroke. Last year at states I went 59.66 so I think I can do it.
“As for our team, I’m really excited about our medley relay this year. I think we’ll have a good showing at districts this year.”
She will continue swimming in college.
“I believe I’m going to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.,” she said. “From the beginning it was my first choice. I love that it’s in D.C. but it’s enclosed so it’s still a college campus.”
She plans to major in political science with an eye toward law school.  
She also considered Ursinus and Albright.

When she isn’t in the pool, she is a part of the Youth In Government Club and the Yearbook Club at Springfield.