Chambersburg looks for individual success
Although there's no "I" in "team," there can be a lot of individual success among a struggling team.
That's exactly what Chambersburg's swimming squads will be looking for this season.
"We're an inexperienced team, so I'm not sure what our record will look like," Trojan coach Donnie Miller said. "Our focus is improvement every day, and getting some individual success and supporting one another. We do know that we're already looking better, and I can see a difference in just three weeks (of preseason)."
Miller returns to the Trojan girls team after a year-long sabbatical, and he's taken on the task of coaching the boys team, as well.
"It's been very busy and very hectic, but I love coaching," Miller said. "I look forward to the challenge, and the swimmers have been great so far. Coaching both teams takes a lot of time - more than I was expecting - but I want to do whatever I can to help our program be successful."
The boys return a trio of individual success stories. Nick Cover, a junior, is a two-time PIAA qualifier as a diver, while both Avery Barley and Jacob Greenwood advanced to the state meet as freshmen last season.
Barley earned 15th placed in the 100 backstroke, while Greenwood, who already hosts the school record in the event, placed 14th in the 500 freestyle at the PIAA Championships.
The Trojans are also hopeful for freshman CJ Pong, who has a goal of qualifying for districts in the backstroke during his debut season. On the boys side, there are just one senior and one junior who are returning swimmers. Gabriel Johnson, a butterfly specialist, is the oldest of the bunch.
The girls side does boast some senior leadership, as Ashlyn Ellis, Erika Rundquist and Kandace Loup all return.
Ellis qualified for districts last season in the 200 freestyle, and junior Abbie Reichelderfer was just short of the district meet, so her sights are set there.
"The girls' roster is currently 17 girls, which is exciting," Miller said. "Last year, they finished with 11 girls on the roster, so we have a lot of girls interested in swimming, even if they don't have a lot of experience. We have a lot of new swimmers or swimmers that competed while they were younger and are finding that interest again."
Trojan girls at a glance
Coach: Donnie Miller
Last year: 3-7 (2-5 Mid Penn Commonwealth Division)
Top returning swimmers: Ashlyn Ellis (sr., freestyle/butterfly/IM); Erika Rundquist (sr., butterfly/backstroke); Kandace Loup (sr., freestyle); Abbie Reichelderfer (jr., IM/freestyle/breaststroke)
Other top swimmers: Cayris Wright (jr., freestyle); Tamara Quispe (jr., freestyle)
Next meet: Tuesday, at home vs. Central Dauphin East, 4
Trojan boys at a glance
Coach: Donnie Miller
Last year: 5-5 (2-5 Mid Penn Commonwealth Division)
Top returning swimmers: Nick Cover (jr., diving); Avery Barley (so., backstroke/freestyle/breaststroke); Jacob Greenwood (so., freestyle)
Other top swimmers: Gabriel Johnson (sr., butterfly/IM); Waylon Curtis (so., freestyle); CJ Pong (fr., backstroke); Michael Johnson (fr., breaststroke/freestyle)
Next meet: Tuesday, at home vs. Central Dauphin East, 4