The 2022-2023 season has been nothing but continued success for both the boys and the girls swim teams. The girls have had lots of positives this year, going undefeated in the regular season, but the boys are not far behind. 

The Bellefonte boys swim team has seen progress during the regular season over the past few years. However, they have seen the most success during the postseason. The group has not won districts over the past few years, although they have come close and recently won many individual districts and placements.

There are 7 members on the boys team and all earned the opportunity to compete at the PIAA District 6, Class AA meet, on March 3 and 4 on the Penn State campus at McCoy Natatorium. 

Team captains senior Jacob Skrzycki and junior Cedric Bagwell led the boys group into districts with a 12-5 record. The group saw much individual success across the board in both single events and relay events. 

One of the boys who saw the most success during the district weekend was junior Isaiah Johnson, who prepared heavily throughout the season and reaped the benefits of his preparation.

“I swam and ate a lot to prepare for the meet. I placed first in the 200 Medley Relay, second in the 200 IM, third in the 200 Freestyle Relay, and third in 100 Breastroke,” Isaiah said.

By claiming medals in four events, Isaiah earned himself a spot in next week’s  PIAA State swim meet along with three other members of the boys’team; senior Jacob Skrzycki as well as fellow juniors Carter Boone and Cedric Bagwell. Junior Collin Sharp will act as one of the team’s alternate swimmers. 

As seen from the success of the other state meet qualifiers, Isaiah was not the only swimmer to put in work throughout the season. Junior Carter Boone has seen much success during his first two full seasons of high school swimming, although he had a tough task at hand during his district meet.

“I had a significant challenge going into districts having the daunting task of competing in four events in one day, especially within the timeframe of 2-3 hours as well,” Carter said.

Even with the challenges the junior faced, he would continue his success in the water by placing in multiple events.

“I placed first in the 200 free and the 100 butterfly while also being a part of the winning 200 medley relay and the third place 200 free relay, earning the chance to advance to States in the 200 freestyle, the 100 butterfly, and as a group in the 200 medley relay,” Carter said.

This season as a team, the boys group ended with a winning record and a third place finish at team districts, they have four members of the team of just seven competing in the state meet and will have much of the team returning next year in hopes of the first team title in a few years.