Drowning their Competition

1997 Boys Swim Team

Walking into the natatorium on any Tuesday around 3:45pm, one can witness a wave of destruction as the boys swim team embarrasses the members of the opposition who dare to race in blue waters. The competitors kick and stroke with all their might but to no avail. No team has any real chance of actuallybeating the Knights.

This weekly ritual has become such a tradition that losing is an unknown concept to the human fish. On February 10, 1997, C.B. West was a victim to a 125-35 pounding as NP earned its 150th consecutive dual meet win. Their streak, now up to 157 wins, is the team’s legacy, but their goal for 1997 was to regain the State title they last earned in 1992. Added to their State water polo championship earlier this year, the title in swimming made the Knights the only team to win both championships in the same year.

“We wanted to be the first ever King of Aquatics,” declared Steve Johnston. The real life culmination of Steve and the team’s dream began after they won the league and their ninth straight District title.

On March 1, at the University of Pennsylvania, the Knights won Districts by earning more points than the second and third place teams combined. Jeff Faikish won the 200 and 500 freestyle, Steve Bohner won his first District diving title, and Steve Johnston, Jeremy Bergman, Eric Umlauf, Jeff Faikish, Sylvo Szabo, Kevin Rader, and Eric Umlauf, swam on winning relays.

Thye Knights triumphed in the Penn State pool the next week with Steve Bohner’s second place in diving, Jeff Faikish’s medaling in the 200 and 500 freestyles, Steve Johnston’s fifth in the 100 backstroke, Jeremy Bergman’s sixth in the 200 freestyle, and three winning relays.

“Swimming on a winning relay to help my team earn a State Championship my senior year was the highlight of my entire swimming career.”

“Everybody’s ultimate goal is to win the State Championship their senior year. I can’t tell you how great this feels,” said Jeff Faikish, elated after the win.

Many seniors are leaving, but Mike McPeak is confident the team’s prominence will not diminish: “We will still prosper because our uncommon depth will continue our success.”
-Beth George, NP Accolade

UNDEFEATED 1997 BOYS SWIM TEAM

Suburban One League Champion, District One Champion,
PIAA STATE CHAMPION

Bill Bartle Head Coach
Brian Faikish Assistant Coach
Myrl Zawoiski
Captains: Jeff Faikish, Steve Johnston & Kevin Rader

Team Members in picture:

Not in picture: Dan Bishop, Tim Kronstain, Judsen Schneider, Steve Bohner, Andy Lanzone (mgr)

All-Americans: Steve Johnston, Kevin Rader, Sylvo Szabo, Eric Umlauf, Jeremy Bergman,
Jeff Faikish, Steve Bohner

All State: Steve Johnston, Kevin Rader, Sylvo Szabo, Eric Umlauf, Jeremy Bergman,
Jeff Faikish, Chris Craig, Steve Bohner

District One Championship:
Steve Johnston 1st 200 Medley Relay; 1st 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay; 3rd 100 Backstroke
Sylvo Szabo 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 3rd 100 Breaststroke; 12th 200 Individual Medley
Kevin Rader 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 4th 100 Breastroke; 4th 50 Freestyle; 10th 100 Butterfly
Eric Umlauf 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 1st 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay; 5th 100 Freestyle
Jeremy Bergman 1st place 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay; 2nd 200 Freestyle; 7th 100 Freestyle
Jeff Faikish 1st 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 200 Freestyle; 1st 500 Freestyle; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay
Chris Craig 3rd place 100 Freestyle; 5th place 500 Freestyle,
Steve Fleming 7th place 100 Backstroke;
Dominick Szabo 4th place 100 Breaststroke
Steve Bohner 1st place Diving

PIAA State Championship:
Steve Johnston 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 1st 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay;5th 100 Backstroke
Sylvo Szabo 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 11th 100 Breaststroke; 12th 200 Individual Medley
Kevin Rader 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 10th 100 Butterfly 4th 100 Breastroke; 4th 50 Freestyle
Eric Umlauf 1st place 200 Medley Relay; 1st 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay; 5th 100 Freestyle
Jeremy Bergman 1st place 200 Freestyle Relay; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay; 6th 200 Freestyle
Jeff Faikish 1st 200 Freestyle Relay; 2nd 200 Freestyle; 4th 500 Freestyle; 1st 400 Freestyle Relay
Chris Craig 10th place 500 Freestyle
Steve Bohner 2nd place Diving