Pennridge Women’s Swim Team Takes on States

The large list of qualifiers for the PIAA Swimming Championships has been finalized and quite a few of our fellow classmates are competing. With help from their coaches Jacob Grant and Jenna Anselmo, these girls have earned their place to compete at states. Most of them made the transition from water polo right into the swim season and never lost focus on what they wished to accomplish. There are so many different aspects that go into being a successful swim team. The Pennridge Women’s Swim Team values the importance of working together. Training alone can be hard but this team certainly pushes each other to be the best they can be. “One of the main reasons we have made it this far is the motivation and encouragement we set for each other whether it is during training or competition,” said Adi Garges, a senior swimmer at Pennridge.

The PIAA Swimming Championship took place at Bucknell University in Lewisburg Pa. Ally Ricciardi, a junior, is entered in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Ricciardi, Lexy Hulse, Emily Myers, and Adi Garges got the nod in the 200 freestyle relay. Adi Garges, a senior, will be attending Saint Francis University next year and will be playing water polo. “Saint Francis was at the top of my list throughout my recruiting process and no school felt right except for Saint Francis,” explained Garges. Garges ended polo at states along with swim, overall she has had an amazing senior year with her athletics.

Emily Myers was also a part of the polo team and made it to states with her teammates on the swim team. She was entered in the 200 freestyle relay along with Ricciardi, Garges, and Lexy Hulse. Emily was committed to a D1 swim school but had to quickly restart her application process because they announced that they are cutting all athletic programs indefinitely after this Spring 2023 season. She started swimming when she was 8 years old and joined the Pennridge Swim Team when she was 10 years old. When asked if she expected to make it to states she said, “Our relay changed this year, so we really weren’t expecting much. When we swam at districts, we doubted that we had any chance of making it, but sure enough, we squeezed by the cut.” She also explained the steps she and her teammates made in the morning to prepare for their 8 a.m. relay race. “Swimming really early in the morning is not the best in terms of quickness. In order to really wake up and start moving, you need to stay warm, keep moving, and eat something. As much as I hate eating breakfast, especially early in the morning, I always make sure to fuel my body.” Her determination has carried her to be the athlete she is today.

The girls have had an amazing season, especially for those who went from water polo right into swim. All of their hard work and preparations have paid off. They have truly all grown as people and athletes. To make it this far is an accomplishment to celebrate.

Sources:
https://buckscountyherald.com/stories/local-swimmers-qualify-for-states,23414
http://www.pennridgeramsswimming.org/wp/coaches/
https://www.swimcloud.com/team/8992/rankings/
https://twitter.com/pennridgeswim?lang=en
https://www.teamunify.com/rechsersd/__doc__/High%20School%20Swimming.pdf
https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/sports/high-school/swimming-diving/2016/03/16/pennridge-s-morgan-scott-captures/17828415007/
https://wanderingswimmer.com/questions-swim-meets/