The Central Bucks East swim programs made history over the weekend.
Both the Patriots’ boys and girls teams captured Suburban One League Colonial Division championships Saturday at North Penn’s Rick Carroll Natatorium, according to the Bucks County Herald, marking milestone victories for the programs as they turn their focus toward districts.
For the boys, it was the program’s first league title since 2001. CB East finished second in overall meet scoring with 368 points, behind Souderton’s 392, but secured the championship by completing a 5-0 dual meet season, according to gameplay coverage. Souderton would have needed a 130-point margin at the league meet to overtake the Patriots.
CB East senior captain Ryan Burek called the moment special, particularly for a program that had not claimed the crown in 25 years, per the reports. The Patriots’ dual meet win over perennial power North Penn earlier this season proved pivotal.
James Ruch led the Patriots individually, winning the 100-yard backstroke in 52.44 seconds. CB East also claimed the 200 medley relay behind Ruch, Tim Markouski, Burek and Shreyan Katiyar, according to the article.
Across the division, Central Bucks South’s Jack Riegel won the 200 freestyle, while Central Bucks West saw Karl Linde take the 50 freestyle and Jimin Chung capture the 500 freestyle, according to the Herald.
Pennridge senior Timothy Hong delivered a standout performance, winning both the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. The Rams also set three school records during the meet.
The girls competition brought similar success for CB East.
The Patriots captured their first Colonial Division team title since 2004, finishing with 420 points and completing a 5-0 dual meet campaign that included a key win over North Penn, according to the Herald.
Grace Petrakis paced the effort with victories in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Victoria Sipperly won the 50 freestyle and Mia Shorr topped the 500 freestyle. The Patriots opened the meet by winning the 200 medley relay behind Petrakis, Sipperly, Yulia Ashbaugh and Sofia Urena.
Central Bucks West placed third in team scoring, highlighted by individual wins from Anna Majewski in the 200 individual medley, Enna Durant in the 100 freestyle and Maisey Shaffer in the 100 breaststroke. West closed the meet with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay.
Pennridge junior Sadie Hogan won the 100 butterfly to lead the Rams, while Central Bucks South’s Lizzy Downey earned silver in the 100 freestyle.
According to the article, in the SOL Liberty Division, Quakertown’s Logan Abel captured silver in the boys 200 individual medley. On the girls side, Genevieve Skinner, Evelyn Einolf, Anna Willing and Regina Kovacs placed fifth in the 200 medley relay.
District One championships are scheduled for Feb. 27-28 at the York YMCA’s Graham Natatorium.
