The Hopewell Varsity Swim Team Holds First Home Meet Tonight; Season Preview

“Hopewell is starting the season with 24 athletes and we’re looking forward to a great season,” says Lopez. “We have a good mix of new and returning swimmers this year. We graduated 5 seniors last season and added 4 new freshmen to the team. The team has positive energy and is looking forward to a fast and successful season this year.”

Lopez says the boys graduated two of their fastest swimmers and are rebuilding this year, but she’s really excited about her group and about two of their leaders.

“Senior Captain Emmet McCowin is leading our team this year. Emmet is a year-round swimmer that leads our team with fantastic energy. He was on all three of our WPIAL relays last year and I expect him to really come on this season. He’s a really versatile swimmer and a great leader. Hope to see Emmet at WPIALs again,” said Lopez. “Junior Connor Progar started the season at our first scrimmage with a best time in his 50 free, even better than last season. Connor is our fastest 50 freestyler and 100 breast stroker so far this season. Connor was also a member of all 3 of our relays last year at WPIALs and I hope to see him there again this season.”

“Sophomore Joey Gregory missed our first scrimmage with illness but has been working hard at practice.  Joey is our fastest 200 and 500 freestyler, and always gives an exciting finish to the 500. Joey was on our Boys 400 free relay at WPIALs last season, and I am looking forward to seeing him on at least one more relay this year.”

Those are a few of the standouts on the boys’ team, Lopez went on to give us some insight into her girls’ squad for this season.

“Our girls’ team is small but mighty! We only have 7 girls on the team this year, but we have a few I expect to go to WPIALs and even the State Championship this season,” says Lopez. “Senior Captain Jordan Glumac returned and is leading our girls team this year. Jordan is a hard worker and great leader of our team. She participated in both of our Girls WPIAL relays last year, (200 and 400 free) and I’m hoping to see her compete again this season.

“Sophomore Ava Yoder returns this year after a great first season last year. Ava competed in the 100 back and both of our Girls relays last year at WPIALs. Ava is an overachiever at practice, and I expect to see her competing both individually and on our relays at WPIALs again this season. Freshman Hazel McCowin and Lindsey Brown are exciting athletes to join the team this year. Both are seasoned year-round swimmers that posted impressive times at our first scrimmage and come to the team with awesome USA Swimming experience. I expect both to help our relays qualify for WPIALs this season and also expect to see them qualify in individual events as well.”

We’d like to wish the Hopewell Swim team the best of luck this season!