With just over two weeks until the season finale against rival Parkland, the Emmaus swim teams have both rebounded well after suffering their first defeats of the season to Wilson West Lawn recently. Both the boys and girls teams took losses, but both also rebounded to pickup wins over Easton and Dieruff, leaving them with identical 6-1 records.

Both teams seem to be hitting their stride and are getting a lot of help from divers in picking up points in meets. In fact, Andrew Vanim and Brendan McCourt recently hit school milestones while competing in the Wilson Relays.

“Our divers have performed exceptionally well,” said coach Tim O’Connor. “Andrew Vanim and Brendan McCourt are pushing each other and they both set a new team record as the first divers ever to break 300 points in a six-dive meet for Emmaus.”

McCourt finished with a score of 321.10, while Vanim was right behind at 319.00, finishing second and third, respectively. Wilson’s Bryce Johnston won the competition with a score of 327.60. The two scores stand as first and second in the district for six-dive meets on the boys side.

Chelsea Gravereaux continues her standout season, currently holding top times for the team in both the 200 and 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly events, and second in the 500 freestyle. Katie Champagne and Reilly King have also been strong, with Champagne pacing her teammates in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke, while King has the fastest team time in the 500 freestyle. Lydia Garton is setting the pace in the 100 breaststroke.

“Chelsea Gravereaux and Katie Champagne have been performing on a solid level with many others following their lead with hard work that I know will pay off,” said O’Connor.

Conner DeJohn and Ethan Carr are both putting up impressive times as the leaders on the boys side. DeJohn leads the team in the 200 freestyle, while Carr is the top boys swimmer in the 200 IM, the 100 backstroke and the 100 breaststroke.

At the Wilson Relays, another name came to the forefront as Mike Brennan finished second to Wilson’s Donovan Curran in the 500 freestyle, an event where Emmaus could use someone to lead the charge as the season winds down.

“DeJohn and Carr have performed very well again this season and I was impressed with Brennan in the Wilson Relays because he swam a very gutsy race for us,” said O’Connor.

As time starts to wind down on the season, O’Connor is looking forward to seeing how his swimmers can improve as some fight to better their times for districts, while others continue to fight to post qualifying times in district events.

“We have a lot of competition, and that’s great, because that’s what makes you improve,” said O’Connor. “Our swimmers are constantly pushing each other and making each other improve if they want to stay at the top of the heap. We should be strong going into districts and it’s going to be interesting to see who can put it all together here over the final few weeks and be able to hit districts at the top of their game.”

Emmaus swims at Northampton tomorrow and hosts a meet with East Stroudsburg North, East Stroudsburg South and Pocono Mountain West on Saturday morning. Next Tuesday is Senior Day with the final home meet of the season against Liberty.