When Allentown Central Catholic’s swim team comes to Liberty, it’s more of a reunion than a regular season swim meet for some of the Vikings and Hurricanes.

“I look forward to this meet. We practiced here when we swam for the Y, so we’re all back in the same pool, and we hang out when we’re between events,” said Liberty’s Sammy Taylor last Thursday night. “The people you swam the Y with, you associate them with when you first started loving swimming.”

The Y has a competitive swim program for Lehigh Valley youth ages 5-18, and that’s where three Vikings and four Hurricanes met.

“I started swimming at the Y when I was five, so I’ve pretty much known these guys my whole life. Even though we’re on opposite teams, we’re still friends. It’s never any different,” said Central’s Emma Luchetti. “Before my race, Sammy and I were talking about how, growing up, I was the faster swimmer, but now she’s the faster swimmer, so we always kind of kid about it and never take it to heart.”

Taylor did win the 100 free in 56.18 and the 100 backstroke in 1:02.74.

“Even if we swim against each other, we still hug each other after each race, and we’re rooting for each other,” said Central’s Ava Luchetti. “Just coming back here, it’s like a family.”

Liberty’s Talia Lehr placed second in the backstroke where Ava Luchetti placed third.

“Ava was one of my best friends growing up so it’s fun to see her every year,” Lehr said. “We still keep in contact and it’s so nice.”

Central’s Philip Stevens has an extra connection, having lived in Bethlehem until he was in eighth grade.

“It’s great to see people from my hometown here,” he said. “I’m a native of Bethlehem and it’s great to see them again.”

Stevens spent his summers competing on the Northwest swim team with Liberty’s Patrick Gilhool.

“We swam Northwest in the summer and the Y in the winter, so we’re pretty close,” said Gilhool, who won the 200 IM in 2:08.72 and the 100 butterfly in 54.21 on Thursday.

Abby Mack, who won the 200 IM in 2:14.79, is the fourth Liberty swimmer to have connections with the Vikings at the Y.

“It’s nice to swim with them again and get to see them and catch up,” said Liberty’s Abby Mack. “It’s fun.”

Liberty’s girls defeated Central on Thursday, 92-73, and Liberty’s boys also defeated Central, 100-56.