Manheim Township Swim Team Recap

Molly DeLong
Feb 11
3 min read

This year's MT swim team has had quite the season, to say the least. The team has had a close-to-no-loss season, with the only loss coming against Wilson High School on December 18th.

The head coach, Daniel Graybill, who has been coaching the team for 40 years, states that “The boys beating Elizabethtown was a pretty great accomplishment for us.”

One of the greatest victories they achieved this year was the win against Warwick on December 9th, with Township leading with 149 points and Warwick trailing with 33 points. The team has some pretty incredible swimmers who work so hard to achieve all that they do. Some of the most notable would be Cami Schwartz (12th), Micah Davies (9th), Adora Emuwa (11th), Bella Del Castillo (10th), Cole Richards (12th), and Parker Newman (9th).

The team started off the season strong on December 4th, during their meet against Cedar Crest, winning 121 - 48. Senior Cami Schwartz took 1st place in the 200 IM with a time of 2:06.28, dropping 3.39 seconds and setting a personal best! Freshman Marianna Rey got 1st place in her 100 fly, dropping 0.26 seconds and getting her personal best as well. Senior Cole Richards got 1st place in his 500 free with a time of 5:32.00, also setting a personal best.

During the most recent meet on January 27th, a home meet against Hempfield, Manheim Township took the win, beating Hempfield 124 - 61. Delaney Connors got 1st place in the 500 free, with a time of 5:32.50. Freshman Micah Davies got 2nd place in his 100 fly, with a time of 53.32. Sophomore Bella De Castillo got 2nd place in the 200 IM, dropping 1.47 seconds and getting her personal best.

The team has a great mindset that helps them stay confident throughout the season. That a competitive swimming program should focus on technique. Good technique enables a firm foundation for future success. That sportsmanship and teamwork are essential. That children learn to win with humility and to lose gracefully. That the program will provide a competitive experience, and program participants will eventually compete on the high school level and beyond. Through practice, attendance, and meeting experiences, children gain a sense of responsibility and confidence. That respect for fellow teammates, coaches, opposing competitors, and officials is paramount. And finally, swimming is a life sport.

The team offers so much to the swimmers who are just starting with the high school team.

“I’ve met a lot of new people and have improved a lot.” Said freshman swimmer Katerina Panagopoulos. “I feel like I’ve become a better swimmer because of this team.”

The swimmers on this team are some of the best people to be around, and they are such a welcoming and kind team of kids.

The assistant coach Nikki Macey states, “I enjoy getting to know the swimmers in the water and out of the water. They are a really great group of kids, and that’s why I’ve stayed doing this for so long.”

Kids who have been swimming for the school way before their high school career started still see so much improvement with being a part of this team.

Sophomore Emma Nicholas has not only been swimming on the high school team for the past two years, but has also been swimming for the school (MTAG) for the past 11 years. Since she was in kindergarten! She says, “Being on this team has taught me to push through my difficulties even when I feel like quitting because the coaches are only trying to make me a better swimmer.”

The swim team here in our district really embodies what Manheim Township is, and how hardworking our community here is.