Three PAC swimmers earn medals on Day 1 of PIAA Swimming Championships

Methacton senior Madison Wimmer and Phoenixville senior Kenzie Padilla had fourth-place finishes to head the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s performances on Day 1 of the PIAA Class 3A Swimming Championships on Wednesday at Bucknell University.

Wimmer improved on her fifth seed by taking fourth in 1:51.17 in the 200 freestyle. North Penn’s Maddie Faikish won the event in 1:48.65.

Meanwhile, Padilla took fourth in the 100 butterfly, finishing in 55.41, which qualified for the national honor roll. Hatboro-Horsham junior Annie Jia won the event in a PIAA record 51.26, improving on her own 2022 record (52.04).

Phoenixville freshman Brynn Lewis made the B final of the 200 individual medley and finished 12th (2:08.07).

The Owen J. Roberts’ foursome of Mackenzie Gorman, Meredith Hummel, Audrey Schroeder and Kaitlyn McGuire placed 13th in both the 200 medley relay (1:47.82) and 200 free relay (1:38.51).

In boys’ Day 1 action, Spring-Ford senior Patrick Baganski was a medalist in the 50 free, placing eighth (21.06). OJR junior Colin Davis was 14th in the event (21.27).

“I’m very glad to get a medal in my senior year,” Baganski said. “I really want to thank my coaches.”

In the 200 free relay, the Spring-Ford quartet of Baganski, Justin Delp, Dylan Dayrit and Nate Reagan placed 10th (1:25.98).

In the 200 medley relay, the Owen J. Roberts quartet of Patrick Bowker, Jude Moes, Ethan Suessmuth and Davis made the B final and placed 12th (1:36.14).

“Overall, we liked the way we competed,” said OJR coach Kevin Bott. “We had some things that went well, and we liked how the kids responded if something didn’t go as we hoped for. We are proud of them.”

Conestoga’s dominance was on display on Day 1 as the Pioneers scored golds from Can Yenjay (200 free), Jake Wang (200 IM), and the 200 free relay. Springfield-Delco showed similarly with golds from Jacob Johnson (100 butterfly), Jake Kennedy (50 free) and the 200 medley relay.