Fords Swimming and Diving has been off to a strong start this season. They have raced everyone in the Inter-Ac, boasting a 3-2 overall record, whilst maintaining a 2-2 record against Inter-Ac teams, losing to Malvern Prep and Germantown Academy. Their three wins against Penn Charter, Episcopal Academy, and Perkiomen Valley were all blowouts.
The team is recovering from its loss of seniors like Evan Boratto and Zack Oswald.
The team is recovering from its loss of seniors like Evan Boratto and Zack Oswald last year, mainly because of the younger swimmers who have been stepping into big shoes.
Fourth Former James Paul is one of the swimmers who has stepped into their role. As someone who does not even swim year-round, Paul has had numerous breakout swims, the most notable being in the 200-meter freestyle against Penn Charter. His strong performance was one of the highlights and primary reasons for the blowout win. Third Former Liam Jones and Fourth Former Wyatt Hoke have also shown major improvement throughout the season.
“One of the great supports we have had this year is getting some of the best water polo players to come and put up great times in the pool,” Sixth Form captain Jack Grimley said.
Just recently, Grimley broke a school record, swimming 3:59.10 in the 400 freestyle, missing the pool record by just half a second.
Fifth Formers Thomas Springer and Henry McDade are two of these young men who have stepped up in the pool this year and have helped contribute to the relay teams.
Just recently, Grimley broke a school record, swimming 3:59.10 in the 400 freestyle, missing the pool record by just half a second.
“Breaking the record felt amazing,” Grimley said. “It really put into perspective the time and effort we put in as a team in practice and gave a result to show for it.”
Grimley thinks breaking school records is more important to the team as a collective unit because they boost the swimmers’ morale and spark others to break records of their own.
On January 31, the team took third in the Independent School Invitational. There, Grimley won first in both of his individual events, the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, while Wyatt Hoke took first in the 100 breaststroke.
The boys look to grow closer as a unit in the coming weeks and hope to keep boosting a strong sentiment to the younger swimmers who have already made a significant impact.
As always, the main goal of the season is to perform well at Easterns on February 13-14.
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