The Northampton High School varsity boys and girls swimming and diving team jumped into their 2019-2020 season with an away meet at Stroudsburg High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10. While the boys and girls teams both lost by a narrow margin of 50-43 and 52-42 respectively, the meet was highlighted with some great individual performances.

Both the boys and girls teams saw a lot of turnover this year as almost half of swimmers and divers on both squads are new to the team this year. With many new faces on the team this year, the first few meets are expected to be a learning experience.

“We have a lot of new kids on the team this year,” said head coach Cullen Mentzell, “so the first couple meets here will just be trying to figure out where everybody can swim.”

Opening night for the boys team was highlighted with several strong performances including first place finishes in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke from junior swimmer Tommy Nichols. Senior Ben Christy placed first in the 100 freestyle event. Connor Oswald finished first in the 100 breaststroke and Bryce Fisher placed first in the 200 freestyle events.

The girls began the season with a slightly more tenured squad.

“On the girls’ side we return two district medalists in Sarah Hosking and Olivia Szerencsits,” said Mentzell.

Hosking was also a State Championships qualifier from last year and looking forward, Mentzell hopes to add to that success.

“Hopefully we can advance more swimmers to states this year,” said Mentzell. “Overall it’s just exciting to see a lot of new faces.”

The girls performance on Tuesday night was highlighted with strong swims from Hosking who took first place in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke events and Szerencsits with firsts in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle events. Senior Morgan Thomas placed first in the 100 freestyle and freshman Ava Gower was first to the wall in the 100 butterfly event.

The team will host their first home meet against Freedom High School at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Northampton Middle School Pool. During this first home meet there will be a pool naming ceremony to name the Northampton Natatorium after former Northampton Head Coach Gwen Whildin. The community is encouraged to come out and support the Northampton team and help honor a great coach in Northampton swimming history.