WAYNESBORO – The Waynesboro Area Senior High School swim team begins its second season as a sanctioned sport.
It all begins Thursday with a meet at Chambersburg and, two days later, Waynesboro will compete in the West Shore Swimming Invitational at Red Land High School.
“We are looking forward to an exciting season this year,” said Waynesboro head coach Sharon McIlquham, who is assisted by Sarah Stains. “Last year we were on the road for every meet, and this year we are fortunate to be able to host meets at the Waynesboro YMCA pool.”
Waynesboro’s first home meet is Tuesday, Dec. 13 against James Buchanan at 4 p.m.
“The team is looking forward to being able to swim in their home pool and having their fans come out and support them as they start their second season as a fully recognized varsity sport. Our student-athletes have been training for the last two years and are making great strides.”
McIlquham said that swimmers on the team have been competing in events as part of the Waynesboro YMCA Waves program and have been showing improved times over last year.
“So the bar has been raised and the expectations are greater than ever before,” McIlquham said.
Last season, Noah Collier was a Mid-Penn Conference and District 3 qualifier as a sprint specialist. Collier is a key departure on the boys’ side, while Joelle Blake and Cara Toney, who also qualified for Mid-Penns and districts, graduated in 2022.
Returning Mid-Penn and District qualifiers on the boys’ roster are JB Bonner, Aiden Hess and Brenner McIlquham.
Bonner swims in the 200 individual medley (IM), distance events ad sprint freestyle. Hess is a stroke specialist and McIlquham competes in sprint freestyle.
“JB should have a strong season as a returning sophomore with district experience,” said McIlquham. “Aiden is looking to make a large impact. He has made a lot of improvements since last year and has built up his endurance. Brenner is a sprint freestyler, and I’m looking for leadership from him with all of our additions to the team.”
Mya Beck, Emma Swanson, Eve Phillips and Brenna Naddeo qualified for Mid-Penns and districts. Belle Hess, Maddy Stoops, Delaney Stains and Ashlynn Carbaugh qualified for the Mid-Penn Conference Championships.
Phillips was runner up in the in the 100 butterfly at the district championship and qualified for the PIAA meet.
“She is in the 100 fly and is a sprint freestyle specialist,” McIlquham said. “She can do any event.”
In addition to the returning swimmers, the team has added new swimmers to the fold.
“They are learning the sport quickly,” said McIlquham. “Coach Sarah Stains has been doing a great job of teaching these athletes the fundamentals of the sport and preparing them for meet situations, so to have the added depth these athletes will provide is fantastic. They have brought a whole new level of excitement to the pool.”
BOYS ROSTER
(with year in school, events in parentheses)
JB Bonner (soph., 200 IM, distance, sprint freestyle); Aiden Hess (soph., stroke specialist); Brenner McIlquham (jr., sprint freestyle); Gabe Blake (soph.); Riley Morgan (soph.); Owen Shockey (soph.); Parker Hull (jr.); Bryan Benedict (soph.); Kyle Swanson (soph.); Colby Smith (soph.); Nathan Nolan (soph.); Marcello Dimino (soph.); Ryland Marshall (soph.); Joel Moats (soph.); Josh Lynch (soph.)
GIRLS ROSTER
Mya Beck (jr., sprint freestyle); Emma Swanson (sr., sprint freestyle, backstroke); Eve Phillips (soph., 100 butterfly, sprint freestyle); Brenna Naddeo (sr., sprint, distance freestyle); Belle Hess (breaststroke); Maddy Stoops (jr.); Delaney Stains (soph., butterfly, breaststroke); Ashlynn Carbaugh (jr., backstroke, freestyle); Jae Kelley (jr.); Addison Callaway (fresh.); Savannah Brake (jr., backstroke, freestyle); Mia Goepelt (jr., breaststroke); Kylie Bere (sr., relay)
SCHEDULE
Dec. 20, at Northern York, 5 p.m.; Jan. 3, Shippensburg, 4 p.m.; Jan. 12, Trinity, 4 p.m.; Jan. 17, at Big Spring, 4:15 p.m.; Jan. 24, Boiling Springs, 4 p.m.; Jan. 31, at East Pennsboro, 5 p.m.; Feb. 2, at Cedar Cliff, 4:15 p.m.
