MERCERSBURG – Two years ago, the Waynesboro Area Senior High School girls’ swimming team made history by winning the Mid-Penn Colonial Division championship in the program’s first season after being sanctioned by the PIAA.
The Maidens won the division again last year, and again this season.
It might have been fitting that the meet against James Buchanan was held at Mercersburg Academy in the academy’s newly-built pool. Mercersburg Academy’s swimming history is renowned, one that includes two-time Olympic gold medalist Melvin Stewart. A sense of the history of success is permeable after looking at the list of records and accomplishments.
Waynesboro’s Eve Phillips has etched herself into Waynesboro’s swimming history. The senior, who has qualified for the PIAA championships the past three seasons, won the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. She was also a member of the winning 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams, which propelled Waynesboro to a 128-36 Mid-Penn Colonial Division victory.
“Eve has led our team by example,” said Waynesboro coach Sharon McIlquham. “She works hard at every practice, works outside of the pool to build her strength, and her commitment to the sport drives her to practice year-round at the pool.
“As strong as a swimmer she is, she has always put the team first and is willing to do whatever it takes for our team to win. She definitely hasn’t gotten the credit she deserves for the level she has attained in the sport. As a member of the YMCA team, she is a multi-year qualifier for the national championship meet, most impressively last April when she finished seventh in the country.”
Meanwhile, the Waynesboro Indians won their second consecutive division title, defeating the Rockets 144-20.
The Tribe won all three relay events, and JB Bonner and Riley Morgan each won two individual events. Bonner hit the end wall first in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Morgan was first in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke.
Tank Benedict was first in the boys’ 1-meter diving competition, while Camryn Bonner won the girls’ 1-meter diving event.
For the Maidens, Mady Barker was a double winner. She won the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke to help Waynesboro achieve a decisive victory.
Rylie Tritle (100 butterfly), Lili Moreno (100 breaststroke) and Addi Callaway (500 freestyle) registered wins in three other individual events.
On the boys’ side, Ethan McDonald (200 freestyle), Oliver Garraway (100 butterfly), Andrew Bryan (100 freestyle) and Will Yost (500 freestyle) nabbed wins in their individual events.
Yost competed in all three relay events as well.
Waynesboro’s next competition will be the Mid-Penn Conference Swimming and Diving Championships at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg from Feb. 5 through Feb. 8.
RESULTS
BOYS
Waynesboro 144, James Buchanan 20
200 medley relay – 1 Waynesboro (Gabe Blake, Will Yost, JB Bonner, Aiden Hess) 1:51.18
200 freestyle – 1. Ethan McDonald (W) 2:28.29; 2. Oliver Garraway (W); 3.
200 individual medley – 1. Riley Morgan (W) 2:18.80; 2. Aiden Hess (W); 3. Elijah Hopkins (JB)
50 freestyle – 1. JB Bonner (W) 22.98; 2. Andrew Bryan (W); 3. Gabe Blake (W)
1-meter diving – 1. Tank Benedict (W) 105.05; 2. Kyle Swanson (W); 3. Bryan Alford (W)
100 butterfly – 1. Oliver Garraway (W) 1:14.36; 2. Levi Horst (W)
100 freestyle – 1. Andrew Bryan (W) 53.25; 2. Gabe Blake (W); 3. Cello Dimino (W)
500 freestyle – 1. Will Yost (W) 5:19.65; 2. Luke Halstead (W); 3. Kyle Swanson (W)
200 freestyle relay – 1. Waynesboro (Will Yost, Gabe Blake, Cello Dimino, Andrew Bryan) 1:39.56
100 backstroke – 1. JB Bonner (W) 57.23; 2. Aiden Hess (W); 3. Zachary Hudson (JB)
100 breaststroke – 1. Riley Morgan (W); 2. Owen Shockey (W); 3. Elijah Hopkins (JB)
400 freestyle relay – 1. Waynesboro (JB Bonner, Riley Morgan, Luke Halstead, Will Yost) 3:53.20
GIRLS
Waynesboro 128, James Buchanan 36
200 medley relay – 1 Waynesboro (Vanna Keyser, Lili Moreno, Rylie Tritle, Addi Callaway) 2:04.85
200 freestyle – 1. Mady Barker (W) 2:00.60; 2. Addi Callaway (W); 3. Vanna Keyser (W)
200 individual medley – 1. McKenna Seylar (JB) 2:49.70; 2. Ava Brandes (W); 3. Avery Hess (W)
50 freestyle – 1. Eve Phillips (W) 24.28; 2. Ruth Phillips (W); 3. Lili Moreno (W)
1-meter diving – 1. Camryn Bonner (W) 179.75
100 butterfly – 1. Rylie Tritle (W) 1:03.43; 2. Addy Callaway (W)
100 freestyle – 1. Eve Phillps (W) 54.19; 2. Ruth Phillips (W); 3. Vanna Keyser (W)
100 breaststroke – 1. Lili Moreno (W) 1:20.94; 2. McKenna Seylar (JB) 1:25.57; 3. Camryn Bonner (W)
500 freestyle – 1. Addi Callaway (W) 6:03.47; 2. Claire Yost (W); 3. Leah Yost (W)
200 freestyle relay – 1. Waynesboro (Ruth Phillips, Mady Barker, Rylie Tritle, Eve Phillips) 1:42.16
100 backstroke – 1. Mady Barker (W) 1:01.29; 2. Leah Yost (W); 3. Avery Hess (W)
400 freestyle relay – 1. Waynesboro (Rylie Tritle, Ruth Phillips, Eve Phillips, Mady Barker) 3:54.20
