The Foxes’ senior swimmers are proud of a distinction that no others before or after them can ever claim: They are the first (and only) class that was part of the original group that inaugurated the new pool when it opened in 2016 and then swam in it all four years of high school. During that time, records have been broken, goals have been achieved, friendships have been forged, and the program has grown exponentially. This season, the upcoming graduates are set on making many more memories in a place that has been their home away from home for so many years.
For the girls team, that means coming full circle.
“One of my favorite memories was winning our Franklin Regional meet in my freshman year; We went undefeated and won the section,” says captain Grace Gackenbach, a three-time WPIAL qualifier who also recalls how it felt to dive into the then-brand- new pool. “For several years (while the new pool was being built), we struggled to find a pool and, as a result, we were swimming in pools across the Pittsburgh area. Jumping into our new pool for the first time was surreal. It felt like we finally had a home of our own, and that sense of ‘home’ has yet to fade.”
The three additional senior captains, Gwen Cullen, Ian Lowe, and Jake Sperry, all predict that their respective teams will be contenders to win section championships. Both had 5-1 records last season, with their only section losses to two-time consecutive winner Franklin Regional.
Fast Forward
This year, there is a large group of girls who are very dedicated to the sport and swim year-round, including Grace, who was an individual PIAA qualifier in the 200 and 500 free, and a member of the 200 IM and free relay teams that advanced to states. The relays also included senior Leia Ross, who set a new pool record in the 100 back last year and advanced to states in the 100 fly and 100 back. Junior Vivian Shao also returns. She also was an individual WPIAL qualifier in the 200 free.
In addition to those returners, the captains are very impressed with two freshmen.
“Vivian’s little sister Sophie swims the 100 fly, and Talia Bugel is swimming the 100 back,” says Grace. “They both are excellent club swimmers, very good all around, and have been preparing for the junior nationals.”
“Sophie and Talia could go to states as freshmen,” adds Gwen, who swims the 500 free, 100 back, and some of the relays. “They are that good.”
Gwen adds, “We were the runner-up last year and had an almost perfect record in the section, so we just have to work really hard in practice. But, at the same time, I think it’s really important to have fun while we’re doing it.”
Other seniors on the girls team are Margaret Gaddess, Bryn Gerlach, Lylah Simeone, and Angelique Uku.
Boys’ Motivating Memories
WPIAL qualifier Jake’s first recollections of swimming in the pool as a freshman are still fresh in his mind. The captain, who swims the 100 back, 200 medley relay, and a little freestyle, says, “The first practice of freshman year (time trials), I walked out on the pool deck and was in awe of the changes. My first thought when I saw the new pool was how lucky my grade was to have the opportunity to swim in an eight-lane pool that was in a well-lit and ventilated room. Not many other high schools have this nice of a pool. I feel that our class used the new pool as a springboard toward reviving a much smaller Fox Chapel Area swim team. Although it wasn’t the only factor, I believe the new pool helped retain the interests of many newer swimmers from my class who are still on the team today.”
Jake says one of the moments that stands out most to him during his swimming career so far occurred in his sophomore year.
“All the boys were in the Fox Chapel Area locker room, and our captain that year was giving a hype speech,” recalls Jake, a 2018-2019 WPIAL qualifier in the 200 and 500 freestyle events. “We got so loud that Coach Dan (Taylor) had to come into the locker room to tell us to quiet down. The intensity from the locker room stayed with us the entire meet, even though we ended up losing (to Franklin Regional).”
The boys’ captains believe the team has not had this level of unity in a long time, but Ian cautions, “It’s a long season, and we need to stay focused and determined in practice, and give 100% every day, even when we get into the grind of it.”
“We have some strong seniors, but also some underclassmen with potential who will be crucial to scoring points,” Ian says. “Jake in the 500 has grown so much in that event, and Will Wang (WPIAL qualifier last year in 200 IM and 100 breast) is going to do great things this year, especially in the 100 breast. We’ll also be counting on Evan Gu (100 back), Nate Haitema Serkov (WPIAL individual qualifier in 50 breast, who also swims on the 200 medley and 200 free relay teams) and two younger guys, sophomores Dave Dering (200 free) and Holden Smith (200 free).”
The other returning seniors on the boys team are Brent Brewster, Oskar Ernharth, Nathaniel Gaggini, Jeffrey Hertzberg, Joseph Johnson, and John Klamut.
“During the time I’ve been on the team, we’ve had success and also devastating losses,” says Jake. “I’m really proud of this team, where we came from, and how far we can go this year.”
It’s the Little Things
When it comes to passing down a legacy, for this group of seniors, it’s not just about setting records, or how many wins and losses they accumulated over four years. Sometimes, it’s the little things.
“I’ll really miss our dinners after meets at Chili’s, and our annual girls team slumber party,” says Grace. “One of my most enjoyable recollections happened last year happened, ironically, after we lost to Pine-Richland. “After the meet was over, during the warm down, the other team started playing music. We all jammed out as a team with our opponents. I was proud of my team that we were able to lose a meet and still have such good sportsmanship with the other team.”