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SWIMMING: Expectations differ for Chambersburg boys, girls teams


It's going to be a year of changes for Chambersburg's swimming program.

Not only did the Trojans lose a slew of point-scorers on both the girls and boys team, but there's a different chain of command this year. Chambersburg boys coach Chad White will also serve as the interim girls coach, as Donnie Miller is on a sabbatical leave this season.

"Not much has changed, really," White said. "Practices have always been at the same time, so I'm just running both of them now. I'm creating workouts based on the ability of both groups. I have the boys and girls swimming together, and I have two awesome assistant coaches in Anthony Addlesberger and Bryton Zook, and they're really helping out."

White seems to have two very different teams on his hands. He said that a top-10 finish at the Mid Penn Conference championships wouldn't be an unrealistic goal for the boys team. But for the girls team, he said that although there were some individuals with lofty goals, it might be tough to compete as a team.

"There's a good possibility that we'll be able to take some individuals to districts," White said. "But as far as dual meets, we just don't have the depth that we've had in the past couple years."

Chambersburg's girls graduated the likes of Abby Stauffer, Lauren Ellis and Karlee Metz, who were district qualifiers in all four seasons. But the Trojans return Bria Zook, Erin Miller and Ashlynn Ellis, who were all voted as team captains. Candace Loup and Erika Rundquist also bring back varsity experience, and White also has high hopes for sophomore Abbie Reichelderfer.

Cayris Wright and Tamara Quispe were both new to the program last year, and Ashlyn Browning and Amanda Asburg are newcomers this year, but have experience with the Chambersburg YMCA Chargers under coach Addlesberger.

"Cayris and Tamara put in a lot of work in the offseason, and they're already faster than they were last year," White said. "I really expect those two to step it up and score some points at dual meets. Ashlyn and Amanda come to the team knowing all four strokes and having the experience of competing at a high level."

On the boys side, Chambersburg has a fine combination of returning top swimmers and talented newcomers. Although Chandler Desotelle - the Trojans' top point-scorer and highest district qualifier last year - transferred to Gettysburg, White's expectations for the boys is especially high.

"Julian (Chance), Zach (D'Antonio) and Andrew (Leeper) are definitely the leaders of this team, and they were voted team captains," White said. "I expect them to lead this group of swimmers. The boys do have more experience than they've had in the last two years, so I expect to do better in dual meets, and I think our finishes at Mid Penns and districts will be higher."

The Trojans have a pair of speedy freshmen to look out for, as well.

White said Jacob Greenwood enters the season swimming a 500 freestyle that is eight seconds faster than Chambersburg's school record, and Avery Barley's best time in the 50 free is about 0.7 seconds off the qualifying time for states.

"You don't really see that kind of speed with freshmen swimmers, and they're just going to keep getting faster," White said.

Other big point contributors could include Jack Martin and Jacob Gayman, who qualified for Mid Penns a year ago.

Trojan girls at a glance

Coach: Chad White is acting as interim coach while Donnie Miller is on sabbatical.

Last year: 7-3 (4-3 Mid Penn Commonwealth Division)

Starters lost: Abby Stauffer, Lauren Ellis, Karlee Metz

Returning swimmers: Erin Miller (sr., freestyle/butterfly), Bria Zook (sr., freestyle/butterfly/IM), Alexa Crider (sr., diving), Ashlyn Ellis (jr., butterfly/backstroke/IM/freestyle), Kandance Loup (jr., freestyle/backstroke), Erika Rundquist (jr., butterfly/backstroke/freestyle/IM), Tamara Quispe (so., freestyle/backstroke), Abbie Reichelderfer (so., breaststroke/butterfly/freestyle/IM), Cayris Wright (so., freshman/breaststroke)

Other top swimmers: Amanda Asbury (so., freestyle/butterfly/IM), Ashlyn Browning (fr., freestyle/breaststroke/IM)

Season opener: Tuesday, at home vs. Red Land, 4

Trojan boys at a glance

Coach: Chad White, third season, 7-14 (.333)

Last year: 2-8 (2-6 Mid Penn Commonwealth Division)

Starters lost: Kolton Jenkins, Chandler Desotelle (transferred to Gettysburg)

Returning swimmers: Julian Chance (sr., butterfly/freestyle), Zach D'Antonio (sr., freestyle/breaststroke), Andrew Leeper (sr., freestyle/breaststroke/IM/butterfly), Jack Martin (sr., freestyle/breaststroke), Josh Santamaria (sr., freestyle/breastroke), Carlos Vera (jr., freestyle/backstroke), Gabriel Johnson (so., butterfly/freestyle/IM), Jacob Gayman (so., butterfly/freetsyle/backstroke/IM), Nick Cover (so., diving)

Other top swimmers: Avery Barley (sr., freestyle/butterfly/backstroke/IM), Waylon Curtis (fr., freestyle/backstroke), Jacob Greenwood (fr., freestyle/butterfly/backstroke/IM)

Season opener: Tuesday, at home vs. Red Land, 4