The Parkland girls swim team can check one thing off its to do list for the 2023-2023 swimming season. The Trojans beat rival Emmaus 106-80 recently to take their first step along a season-long path that they hope ends with their streaks of East Penn Conference and District 11 championships intact.

Generally, the winner of the Parkland and Emmaus meet is also the winner of the EPC, which Parkland has won in each of the last four seasons. District gold in the team standings usually also comes down to a battle between Emmaus and Parkland, with the Lady Trojans having taken the team championship for three straight seasons.

“You always know coming into this meet that it’s going to be a battle and that it’s one of the meets you have to win,” said Parkland swimmer Sophia Cerimele. “We were excited to go up against them and to be a part of a meet like this where the place is packed and it’s loud, and everybody is really into it.”

Parkland started early with a win in the 200-yard medley relay by the team of Sydney LaBaugh, Kelsey McPeek, Milla Hahn and Madison Roseman. McPeek, Hahn and Roseman then teamed with Cerimele to win the 200 freestyle relay. Cerimele and LaBaugh joined with Mackenzie Platt and Julianne Zaffiro to complete a sweep of the relay events as they captured the top spot in the 400 freestyle relay.

LaBaugh and Cerimele also collected first-place finishes in their individual events to give them four wins in the meet. For LaBaugh, it was the 200 freestyle and the 100 backstroke, while Cerimele won the 200 IM and 500 freestyle. LaBaugh won the 200 freestyle by nearly seven seconds over Emmaus’ Mia Baldwin and Cerimele crushed the competition in the 500 with a :23.48 margin of victory.

“I think we are all very happy with the results that we got tonight,” said Cerimele. “This meet is by far my favorite of the year because there is so much adrenaline and it’s such a great rivalry.”

In diving, Parkland was again able to pick up points. Johanna Cook won the event with a score of 178.35 and teammate Sam Schultz turned in a 165.85 score to finish second. The results of diving pushed the Trojans to a commanding 46-32 lead that they would continue to build upon over the rest of the event.

“Both of our teams are like tight knit groups and have become like a family,” said coach Allison McPeek. “That makes it a great atmosphere to come into when you’re working with teammates that you enjoy being with. The kids are a very cohesive team and cheer each other on in everything we do.”

After being a part of the team in her sophomore season, Cerimele did not compete last season but returned for her senior year. When she returned, she quickly noticed a different attitude to the team and likes how things feel in practice and at meets.

“I think the atmosphere is great. I really like coming to practice and working on things,” said Cerimele. “I think that the team overall is closer, and we have more of a cohesive feeling. It’s a great atmosphere to swim in and it has really helped me to get better. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Parkland 106, Emmaus 80

200 medley relay: 1. Parkland (Sydney LaBaugh, Kelsey McPeek, Milla Hahn, Madison Roseman) 1:47.32, 2. Emmaus 1:50.38, 3. Emmaus 1:58.47;

200 freestyle: 1. Sydney LaBaugh (P) 1:55.14, 2. Mia Baldwin (E) 2:02.00, 3. Gabriella Antunes (E) 2:05.72;

200 individual medley: 1. Sophia Cerimele (P) 2:07.08, 2. Milla Hahn (P) 2:19.99, 3. Georgia Magditch (E) 2:14.33;

50 freestyle: 1. Gloria Klees (E) 24.90, 2. Madison Roseman (P) 25.65, 3. Izzy Sparaco (E) 26.0;

Diving: 1. Johanna Cook (P) 178.35, 2. Sam Schultz (P) 165.85, 3. Keira Gilboy (E) 164.25;

100 butterfly: 1. Milla Hahn (P) 58.57, 2. Sophia Harmon (E) 59.89, 3. Julianne Zaffiro (P);

100 freestyle: 1. 1. Gloria Klees (E) 54.13, 2. Kelsey McPeek (P) 55.14, 3. Madison Roseman (P) 55.62;

500 freestyle: 1. Sophia Cerimele (P) 5:02.89, 2. Georgia Magditch (E) 5:26.37, 3. Ella Rafeld (P) 5:36.01;

200 freestyle relay: 1. Parkland (Kelsey McPeek, Madison Roseman, Milla Hahn, Sophia Cerimele) 1:40.15, 2. Emmaus 1:42.79, 3. Emmaus 1:49.14;

100 backstroke: 1. Sydney LaBaugh (P) 57.46, 2. Mabry Krause (E) 1:02.60, 3. Julianne Zaffiro (P) 1:03.25;

100 breaststroke: 1. Kelsey McPeek (P) 1:05.74, 2. Sophia Harom (E) 1:11.82, 3. Druthi Reddy (E) 1:14.58;

400 freestyle relay: 1. Parkland (Sophia Cerimele, Julianne Zaffiro, Mackenzie Platt, Sydney LaBaugh) 3:37.72, 2. Emmaus 3:42.79, 3. Emmaus 3:54.71.