COVINGTON TWP, Pa., November 8th, 2024 – As the winter season approaches, swimmers begin getting ready for the fun, yet challenging season ahead. All the way at the Dunmore YMCA, the Dunmore swim team welcomes North Pocono swimmers with open arms. Not only does North Pocono swim with Dunmore, but Holy Cross and Western Wayne do as well. The team makes up one big happy family.
Senior Matthew Hitchcock has never been more excited for a swim season in his life. Though technically the North Pocono swimmers aren’t necessarily “a part” of the team, they still get opportunities to practice and compete. Matthew says, “I don’t really like the idea of exhibition because there is not much of a reward if you get first place, but on the other hand I feel that is a ‘reassurance’ if you do not get the time or place you originally wanted since it does not count.” Exhibition is where swimmers get to compete in the race but even if they get first they do not get credit for it. Matthew believes that there is a very good team atmosphere because of how nice all his teammates are. He has been swimming competitively since he was 8 years old and he believes that overall the Dunmore swim team is his favorite team he has ever swam with. In the past years, Matthew has made many memories. “One memory that really stands out to me is when I was 12 years old, I arrived at a championship meet around 30 minutes late and I hopped into the pool just making my event, luckily the adrenaline rush carried me to win the event. Also dropping my time by 20 seconds, this was a great achievement for me at that time so it was very memorable” Hitchcock says. This year, there are lots of new swimmers from Dunmore, which will make the team even larger. With a handful of athletes, it makes it easier for swimmers to get to know each other.
This year there is a new athletic director, Mr. Swaha. Swaha does not play a large role in the swim team; he mainly manages numbers. “My role in regards to the swimmers is pretty hands off, all I do is let Dunmore know how many and who will be participating as well as making sure we have transportation available for them.” Though Swaha’s role is not very large in the swim team, he is very supportive. He is in favor of North Pocono being combined with Dunmore. Swaha says, “I very much appreciate Dunmore allowing our athletes the ability to swim during their meets. Giving students the opportunity to participate in any and all that they are interested in is something I try to promote.” If any student is ever interested in the team, he will always be in favor of promoting their interest.
North Pocono having their own swim team would be a great opportunity. But since the school does not have their own pool, it makes it hard to have their own team. Swimming with Dunmore provides more teammates. If North Pocono was to currently have its own team, it would consist of only 5 swimmers.
