The Northampton varsity swim team began their 2018-2019 season with a double win over Stroudsburg by scores of 110-70 for the girls and 103-69 for the boys.

With several new swimmers this season, this first meet was a chance to let swimmers try new strokes; it was also an opportunity for Head Coach Cullen Mentzell to see the capabilities of the new team.

“Overall I’m happy with tonight,” explained Mentzell. “It’s great to see some of the newer swimmers stepping up.”

Among some of the newer swimmers to the varsity team making a difference on Tuesday night were sophomore Tommy Nichols, who placed first in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke events. Also new to the team this year are sophomore Connor Oswald, who contributed to Northampton’s point total with a first-place win in the 100 breaststroke while freshman Olivia Szerencsits took first in the girls 500 freestyle as well as the 50 freestyle.

Co-captain Brynne Rockovitz summed up the night’s success.

“You can feel the energy in the team increasing which is having a real impact on our performance and giving us great momentum to build on,” she said.

Northampton’s returning varsity swimmers continued to build on the momentum of a strong season start. Among the additional highlights from Tuesday’s first home meet was senior Jack Kennedy, who claimed a win in the 100 freestyle. Rockovitz contributed to the points total for the girls with two individual wins in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke along with sophomore Sarah Hosking who claimed a double victory with firsts in the 100 breaststroke and the 100 butterfly events.

Turning to the relay events, Northampton also found success as the squad placed first in the boys and girls 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. The team hopes that strength in the relay events is a proof point of a great season to come.

“I think we’re off to a good start,” explained Northampton girls co-captain Trinity Schoeneberger. “We had some good times for some of the swimmers and we can only go up.”

Northampton will travel to Freedom for its first away meet on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m.