Hampton boys swimming team on the clock

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, December 3, 2017 | 11:05 PM

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The mathematics behind swimming times aren't complicated, but swimmers still analyze and adjust regularly.

For the Hampton boys, adjustments had to be made last season after moving from Class AA to AAA. Swimmers such as seniors Jack Lindquist and Brett Scheib, who made states as sophomores, learned their previous times wouldn't cut it.

“It's much more difficult,” coach Morgan Zweygardt said. “AAA is a different ballgame. If they'd have been in AA, they would have made states. They would have been top eight at states.”

The two seniors are looking to swim up to their competition this winter and make another run at Hershey. For Scheib, who took a break from the 500 freestyle last season, it's a matter of getting back to his conditioning level two years ago and making sure his time is good enough.

“He's been analyzing the competition and saying, ‘What do I have to do to make it to states?' ” Zweygardt said. “He really wants it. It's a constant conversation of what he has to do and where he needs to be.”

That sort of analytical awareness runs in the family. Sophomore brother Drew Scheib, who enjoyed a breakout freshman campaign, will look to improve after qualifying for WPIALs in the 100 freestyle.

“Both of them have a drive to be the best,” Zweygardt said. “They really like to look at their competition, and they want to bring themselves up to that competition and excel. They really like to analyze and make sure they're doing everything they can.”

Lindquist also is a near lock to make it back to WPIALs. The question is which events give him the best chance to succeed. The senior competed last season in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle but also fares well in the 200 IM.

“It's going to be a toss-up,” Zweygardt said. “We're just going to see how the year goes, where he's feeling great. He's not done improving in the 100 fly and can go a lot faster. He improved a ton on that this year.”

Nobody may have improved more than sophomore Matthew Belch. In the 500 freestyle, he shaved 22 seconds off his time over the course of last season.

“After seeing what he could achieve working so hard, he's been working harder all year than he did last year, and he's ready to keep improving as well,” Zweygardt said.

If Ethan Apaliski continues to improve on his breaststroke, the rest of the region could have something to worry about. The freshman already has posted times that would qualify for WPIALs in the 50 and 100 of the event. Zweygardt said it could give a huge boost to the medley relay team that also will include Lindquist and the Scheib brothers.

Zweygardt said freshman Richie Donato is a “strong and long swimmer” who could excel as the season progresses.

“It's fun to have these kids who are ready to pick apart what they are doing and want to do it better,” she said.

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

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