The Northampton boys’ varsity swim team ended the 2016-2017 season with a home win against Easton High School on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Ending the season on a high note, the boys edged out the Rovers with a 99-86 victory.

“Easton was a big win for us,” explained head coach Cullen Mentzell.

It was the first time since 2005 the Northampton boys bested Easton.

The girls lost a close contest against Rovers by a score of 94-92.

Some of the highlights of the evening included wins in the girls and boys 200 freestyle by Northampton’s Rebecca Nothstein (2:13.11) and Gavyn Frankenfield (1:52.18). Northampton also took first place in the girls and boys 200 IM (Brynne Rockovits 2:17.23 and Michael Bauer 2:02.98) and the girls and boys 500 freestyle events (Nicole Somers 6:12.86 and Jarin Gaumer 5:25.80).

For the boys team, “it was the best year in a long time,” explained Mentzell.

The boys finished the 2016-2017 season with an 8-4 record. This was the first time in several years that the boys team could celebrate a winning season. The girls team also had a strong season, ending with an even record of 6-6.

Looking forward, 14 swimmers and two divers will spend the next two weeks preparing for the for the district championship meet which will be held at Parkland High School on March 3 and 4. Among the many swimmers to watch at the championship meet are Northampton’s Brynne Rockovits, who is seeded fourth in both the girls 200 individual medley and the girls 100 backstroke.

Northampton’s Michael Bauer also intends to make a big splash at districts in the boys 100 freestyle event, in which he is seeded third and the boys 100 Backstroke event in which he is seeded fourth.

With just under two weeks to prepare, Coach Mentzell’s approach to districts is simple.

“We’re working on starts and turns but basically I’m just getting them excited to swim,” Mentzell said. “It’s always a fun and exciting meet to attend and I just want them to relax and have fun with it – it’s a great experience for all of them.”