Hampton swimmers hitting stride for new year
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Thursday, January 3, 2019 | 10:10 PM
Many of the top swimmers for the Hampton boys have been touching the wall at nearly the same time. But that’s not a bad thing for a team that has depth and versatility.
The boys entered the new year at 2-1, having notched victories over Penn Hills and Knoch and losing a meet to Fox Chapel. The boys have looked good in the early going, qualifying for the WPIAL championship in all three relays.
“The boys are looking fantastic,” coach Morgan Zweygardt said. “I’m excited about our 200 medley relay.”
The 200 medley has featured freshman Will Retsch in place of 2018 graduate Brett Scheib.
“Brett was our backstroker, and Will has really stepped it up,” Zweygardt said. “He’s picking up right where Brett left off. There’s no big-time learning curve. He’s stepping right in.”
“I think that’s something we do good as a team: We have a lot of diversity in strokes, so we have a lot of options.”
Hampton already has plenty of options on the boys side. Sophomores Ethan Apaliski and Richie Donato qualified for WPIALs in the 100 breaststroke. Both often are interchangeable on relay teams.
“It can just depend on who’s day it is. Who is swimming well. You just go by time and see who is the most consistent,” Zweygardt said.
Junior Matthew Belch qualified in the 100 butterfly, and fellow junior Drew Scheib has qualified in multiple events and will have choices to make.
“We’re still trying to figure out what we want to do for WPIALs when it comes around,” Zweygardt said. “He just has a lot of versatility.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: There’s nobody that does more than he does in and out of the water to prepare for a meet. He’s having a great season so far.”
A freshman to watch is Davis Gindelsperger, who hasn’t qualified for any WPIAL events but has established himself as a speed option.
“He’s come into his own,” Zweygardt said. “He’s a great sprinter and has given us help on the 200 freestyle relay. It’s fun to watch him.”
Devon Moore is a freelance writer.
Tags: Hampton
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