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DONALD DELPAthlete, Hatfield High School, 1948 |
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Donald Delp was a three-sport athlete at Hatfield High School during the late 40s where he earned 8 Varsity Letters. In 1947, Hatfield won its first Bi-County League Championship, with Don as the All-League Soccer Goalie. Hatfield was also Champion of the Lower Montco League, 1947. Don was a soccer starter for three years.Don likewise excelled in baseball; he was a three-year Letter Winner, the League’s Most Valuable Player in 1948, and was selected to participate in a workout at Connie Mack Stadium. After high school, Don was off to East Stroudsburg State Teachers College where he continued both his education and his athletic career in inter-collegiate Soccer, lettering in 1949. After attaining his B.S. at East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, he earned his M.Ed. at Temple University. Don married his high school “sweetheart”, Gloria Diehl (1947, HHS). Gloria was also an athlete and Co-Captain of the Girls Basketball Team. Don and Gloria have two grown children; Bonnie is a Registered Nurse and graduate of the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing; Douglas is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. The professional career for Donald Delp began in the fall of 1952 at Muhlenberg High School where he held many positions during his 32 year tenure. He was:
Donald Delp was inducted into the Muhlenberg High School Hall of Fame, Class of 2008. |
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JERRY BONFIGLIO
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JERRY BONFIGLIOAthlete, North Penn High School, 1962 |
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Jerry was a three sport athlete; cross country, wrestling and baseball. He started his wrestling career during his sophomore year earning a letter. In his junior year he was undefeated until he lost his first match in the semifinals in the PIAA State Wrestling Meet held at Penn State University. In 1961 he was the 120 pound, Bux-Mont League Champion, the Sectional Champ, District One and Southeastern Regional Champion. Jerry was North Penn High School’s first Regional Champion. In 1962 Jerry was team Co-Captain and wrestled at 127 pounds; he was Bux-Mont League Champion and Sectional Champion.Jerry started at shortstop for the North Penn baseball team. In 1961 Jerry played shortstop on the Bux-Mont League Championship Team. He also played Shot stop for the Lansdale American Legion baseball team coached by Lee Saverio. The 1962 American Legion team was runner up in the State Championship Tournament. In 1962 he was selected to play for the Bux-Mont All Star Team. In his senior year Jerry was a varsity Cross Country team member. The 1962 Cross Country Team won the Bux-Mont League Championship, the PIAA District One Championship and placed 5th as a team in the PIAA State Cross Country Championship. Jerry wrestled for West Chester State Teachers College and earned his degree in Health & Physical Education. From 1970 to 1977 Jerry taught in the Colonial School District. In 1971 Jerry and his wife Joan opened an arts and crafts retail store in Lansdale. The store was called Craftiques and was known to be one of the best arts and crafts retail stores in the Philadelphia area. After selling Craftiques in 1998 Jerry & Joan moved to a golf course retirement community in south central Pennsylvania. Jerry has stayed physically active and is presently involved competitively in trail running, mountain and road biking, and cross country skiing.
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OTTO BOHMUELLER
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OTTO BOHMUELLERAthlete, North Penn High School, 1960 |
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Otto came to North Penn High School from North Wales High School at its jointure. He lettered in 3 sports in his senior year; Baseball, Basketball and Soccer. In Basketball he was 2nd in scoring with 15.4 pts. per game. He was 2nd team All Bux-Mont on a team that went on to compete in the PIAA District playoffs. Otto was the winner of the Jack Smith Assist Award in Basketball.In Baseball he was one of the leading hitters and led the team in doubles. While playing Soccer, he would go on to score 3 goals in one game. Otto finished in the top 10% of his graduating class at North Penn High School and continued his education at Penn State University, where he started on the freshman Basketball team. After college he continued to play in local leagues; Baseball in the Perkiomen Twilight League; Basketball in the North Penn Industrial League; Soccer in the Philadelphia Amateur Soccer League. Otto worked 35 years for a local Construction Company, The H & K Group. He has 3 sons Chris, Barry and Jeff, all graduates of North Penn High School. He was instrumental in starting Towamencin Youth Association Little League Baseball and Basketball. He is now retired and lives in Palm Coast, Florida with his wife, Cathy, where he enjoys Golf and Tennis. |
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BILL BERARDELLI
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BILL BERARDELLICoach, North Penn High School, 1989-1994 |
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The sport of swimming has always been an important part of Bill Berardelli’s life. Having competed in age group swimming in the 1960s, high school and college swimming in the 1970s and coaching in the 1980s and 1990s, swimming has always been a passion. As early as high school Bill knew that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his mother and father who were both educators and coaches, and give back to the sport that had enriched his life so much.While attending Methacton High School, Bill earned All-State recognition in swimming and water polo and upon graduating in 1975 attended West Virginia University on a swimming scholarship. In college Bill was a four year varsity letter winner, team captain, and held several university records.In 1981 Bill started his career in education, teaching social studies and coaching swimming and water polo at Upper Perkiomen High School. In 1988 Bill was hired by North Penn High School as a social studies teacher, and under head coach Rick Carroll, became an assistant coach for the Boys Swimming and Diving team. Upon Rick Carroll’s retirement in 1989 Bill became the head coach of North Penn Boys Swimming and Diving team and served in this capacity until 1994. Bill served as head coach of the North Penn Boys Swimming and Diving program from 1989-1994 and head coach of the North Penn Girls Swimming and Diving program from 1990-1992. Blessed with a well established program, talented and hard working athletes, the boys and girls teams flourished. Between 1989 and 1994 the boys team went undefeated in dual meet competition, won six consecutive Suburban I and District I titles and three PIAA State titles. The girls team won Suburban I and District I titles in 1991 and 1992 and were PIAA Runner-ups in 1991. Along with the past and present boys coaches Rick Carroll, Bill Bartle, and Brian Faikish, Bill Berardelli was part of a 258 dual meet win streak that spanned over three decades and is one of the longest win streaks in high school sports. In addition to coaching swimming, Bill started the North Penn Water Polo program. The boys and girls teams began playing in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Water Polo League. The boys won the Southeastern Pennsylvania Championships in 1990, 1991, and 1992 and placed second in the Pennsylvania State Water Polo Championships in 1992. The girls team won the Southeastern Pennsylvania Championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993 and placed second in the Pennsylvania State Championships in 1993. In 1991 and 1993, Bill was recognized as the Pennsylvania Water Polo Coach of the Year. Bill retired from coaching swimming and water polo in 1994 and continues teaching social studies at North Penn High School. |
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1990, 1991, 1992 NPHS BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAMS
1990, 1991, 1992 Boys Swimming and Diving Teams
The forty year history of North Penn Swimming and Diving is a series of peaks and valleys in District I, PIAA State and National Interscholastic Swimming and Diving. During the 1990, 1991 and 1992 seasons the swimmers, divers, managers and coaches associated with the program believed that great things were possible. As a team they believed in the traditions of the program, believed in themselves and supported each other during challenging times. They embraced the demands of training, managing and coaching with a unity of purpose and pride in what they stood for. It was the dedication and commitment of everyone involved that allowed North Penn Swimming and Diving to establish new peaks in the history of the program.
When the 1990 season started there was speculation about how well the team would do in the championship season. As the season unfolded it became clear that North Penn would be one of the teams in contention for the state title. The 1990 team went 13-0 in dual meet competition, won the Suburban I League and garnered 22 of the 33 available Suburban I All-League awards. In the District I Championships, North Penn scored 240 points and out-scored rival Council Rock by more 170 points. The District results from around the state indicated that the teams in contention for the state title would be Bethel Park, Parkland, Hempfield and North Penn. By the end of the first day of competition it was evident that North Penn’s depth would prove to be too much for any challengers and North Penn’s time had once again arrived. North Penn won the 1990 state meet by scoring 134 points, out distancing second place Parkland by 54 points. Following the1990 season the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association ranked North Penn as the 8th best public high school in the nation. The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association also recognized the 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay and Dan Dunigan in the 100 Freestyle as All-Americans.
1990 North Penn District I Place Summary
200 Medley Relay Derek Williams, John Raeburn, Kyle Kroberger, Mike Wilkens *1st
200 Freestyle Scott Walker 3rd - Matt Krystopa 5th
200 Ind. Medley Derek Williams 1st Place - Todd Giardinelli 3rd
50 Freestyle John Raeburn 4th - Kyle Kroberger 5th - Mike Wilkins 9th
100 Butterfly Dan Dunigan 1st - Kyle Kroberger 4th
100 Freestyle Dan Dunigan 1st – Matt Krystopa 3rd
500 Freestyle Todd Giardinelli 3rd – Brian Kelly 11th
100 Backstroke Scott Walker 4th – Kevin Faikish 7th - Jamie Tang 11th
100 Breaststroke John Raeburn 4th
400 Freestyle Relay Matt Krystopa, Scott Walker, Derek Williams, Dan Dunigan *1st
* District I Record Dan Dunigan was selected as the District I Outstanding Swimmer
1990 North Penn P.I.A.A. State Championship Place Summary
200 Medley Relay Derek Williams, John Raeburn, Kyle Kroberger, Mike Wilkins 4th
200 Freestyle Matt Krystopa 6th - Scott Walker 7th
200 Ind. Medley Derek Williams 3rd - Todd Giardinelli 6th
100 Butterfly Dan Dunigan 1st
100 Freestyle Dan Dunigan 2nd
500 Freestyle Todd Giardinelli 4th
100 Breaststroke John Raeburn 10th
400 Freestyle Relay Matt Krystopa, Scott Walker, Derek Williams, Dan Dunigan *1st
* PIAA State Record
In the wake of the success of the 1990 season North Penn had become the team to beat. Despite the pressure of these expectations, the 1991 team moved through the season focused on hard training and took nothing for granted. Early in the season the team won the prestigious York Suburban Holiday Swim Tournament and the Wilson Relays by overwhelming margins. The team once again went unchallenged in the Suburban I dual meet season by posting a 12- 0 record and earning 28 of 36 available All-Suburban I League honors. The 1991 season brought with it the addition of the 200 Freestyle Relay as a dual meet and championship meet event. The addition of the third relay in the line up would become critical in both the District and State championship scoring since no other team except North Penn would be able to divide their pool of talent between three relays and score with all three relays. In the District I Championships North Penn scored 256 points to 2nd place West Chester Henderson’s 111 points. The District I Championship title was unprecedented in that the team won 8 of the 11 events, won all three of the relays and set 5 District I records. The 1991 team entered the PIAA State Championship meet as seasoned veterans and would not accept mediocrity as part of winning. In the P.I.A.A. state meet North Penn scored 197 points and outscored York Suburban by 119 to establish a new scoring record for the state meet. North Penn became the first team to win all three relay events and in the process of winning the relays established state records in the 200 freestyle and the 400 freestyle relays. The 400 freestyle relay record remained unbroken for 19 years and was not eclipsed until 2009. In 1991, the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association ranked North Penn 5th nationally among public high schools. The 200 Medley, 200 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle Relays were recognized as All-Americans, as well as Derek Williams in the 200 Individual Medley and Scott Walker in 100 Freestyle.
1991 North Penn District I Scoring Summary
200 Medley Relay Kevin Faikish, John Raeburn, Derek Williams, Andrew Serang *1st
200 Freestyle Scott Walker 2nd – Matt Krystopa 3rd
200 Ind. Medley Derek Williams 1st – Jerry Gilbert 3rd - Kevin Faikish 12th
50 Freestyle John Raeburn 1st – Andrew Serang 9th
100 Butterfly Jerry Gilbert 1st
100 Freestyle Scott Walker *1st – Matt Krystopa 2nd
200 Freestyle Relay John Raeburn, Scott Walker, Jerry Gilbert, Matt Krystopa *1st
500 Freestyle Brian McGinty 12th
100 Backstroke Kevin Faikish 5th – Jamie Tang 6th
100 Breaststroke John Raeburn 1st – Chris Lee 12th
400 Freestyle Relay Scott Walker, Jerry Gilbert, Chris Lee, Matt Krystopa *1st
* District I Record
John Raeburn was selected as the District I Outstanding Swimmer
1991 North Penn P.I.A.A. State Championship Scoring Summary
200 Medley Relay Kevin Faikish, John Raeburn, Derek Williams, Andrew Serang *1st
200 Freestyle Matt Krystopa 3rd - Scott Walker 4th
200 Ind. Medley Derek Williams 1st – Jerry Gilbert 6th
100 Butterfly Jerry Gilbert 3rd
100 Freestyle Scott Walker *1st – Matt Krystopa 5th
200 Freestyle Relay Scott Walker, John Raeburn, Jerry Gilbert, Matt Krystopa *1st
100 Backstroke Kevin Faikish 10th
100 Breaststroke John Raeburn 3rd
400 Freestyle Relay Scott Walker, Jerry Gilbert, Derek Williams, Matt Krystopa *1st
* P.I.A.A. State Record
The nucleus of the 1990 and 1991 championship teams had been the freshman class of 1989. Over the course of the previous three years Kevin Faikish, Matt Krystopa, Chris Lee, John Raeburn, Jamie Tang and Derek Williams had each made championship scoring contributions and now as seniors in 1992 it was their time. The 1992 team lacked some of the depth of the 1991 team, but made up for it with talent and competitive maturity. Once again it would be North Penn’s depth and diversity in event talent that would be a key factor in the team’s success. In the Suburban I competition North Penn once again went undefeated and added 16 wins to a four year undefeated dual meet record. The team once again easily won the York Suburban Invitational and Wilson Relay meet. In the District I Championships North Penn won 6 of 11 events and set District records in four events. In the PIAA State Championships, Northhampton had an exceptional team; and although North Penn was the favorite on paper, they needed to swim well and not make any mistakes with disqualifications or false starts. After four years of success the team was undistracted by the hype of the “three-peat” and was all business in getting the points on the scoreboard. In the end North Penn outscored Northampton by 44 points and set new state records in the 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle Relays. The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association ranked North Penn 3rd nationally among public high schools. The 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay earned All-American status as well as Derek Williams in the 200 Individual Medley and 50 Freestyle.
1992 North Penn District I Scoring Summary
200 Medley Relay Kevin Faikish, John Raeburn, Derek Williams, Andrew Serang *1st
200 Freestyle Matt Krystopa 2nd
200 Ind. Medley Derek Williams *1st – Don Walsh 9th - Kevin Faikish 11th - Jamie Tang 12th
50 Freestyle John Raeburn 3rd – Andrew Serang 4th
Diving Toby Pickersgill 4th – John Schum 12th
100 Butterfly Derek Williams *1st
100 Freestyle Matt Krystopa 2nd – Andrew Serang 11th
200 Freestyle Relay Derek Williams, Andrew Serang, * 1st John Raeburn, Matt Krystopa
100 Backstroke Kevin Faikish 2nd – Jamie Tang 8th
100 Breaststroke John Raeburn 1st – Chris Lee 8th – Travis Raeburn 12th
400 Freestyle Relay Joel Gilbert, Chris Lee, Kevin Faikish, Matt Krystopa 4th
* District I Record
Derek Williams was selected as the District I Outstanding Swimmer
1992 North Penn P.I.A.A. State Championship Scoring Summary
200 Medley Relay Kevin Faikish, John Raeburn, Derek Williams, Andrew Serang *1st
200 Freestyle Matt Krystopa 4th
200 Ind. Medley Derek Williams 2nd
50 Freestyle Andrew Serang 9th – John Raeburn 10th
Diving Toby Pickersgill 11th
100 Butterfly Derek Williams 1st
100 Freestyle Matt Krystopa 6th
200 Freestyle Relay * Derek Williams, Andrew Serang, John Raeburn, Matt Krystopa *1st
100 Backstroke Kevin Faikish 6th
100 Breaststroke John Raeburn 2nd
* P.I.A.A. State Record
Nearly twenty years after the last of the three state championships, the legacy of the 1990, 1991 and 1992 teams is in the character of the individuals who defined themselves as North Penn Swimmers and Divers and made the accomplishments we are celebrating possible. What is not in the record books or inscribed on the championship trophies is the work ethic, dedication, leadership, determination and humility that these individuals demonstrated as competitors. Twenty years after the first state championship these athletes are remembered by a generation of Pennsylvania coaches as “nice kids” who understood the meaning of sportsmanship and were a pleasure to be around.
1990 NPHS GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM
1990 Girls Swimming & Diving Team
It 1990 North Penn Girls Swimming and Diving team had a memorable season. Midway through the season head coach Selma Robinson and assistant coach Michaeline Botti had a team meeting with the girls discussing the reality of winning a PIAA state championship. The season was going very well with many outstanding dual meet performances. The team was working extremely hard while focusing on a common goal – individual time improvements which would result in a successful season for all. It was the belief of the team that hard work would pay off in the end while stating many times that “We are on a mission.”
Entering into the championship part of the season, the team posted a dual meet record of 11-0 to complete an undefeated season. The closest meet was against Council Rock where North Penn outdistanced the Indians by 46 points. It was evident that the North Penn girls were the most competitive team in the Suburban I League. The girls also won the very prestigious Wilson Relays in January by scoring 318 points and defeating three very strong teams from Wilson West Lawn, Cumberland Valley and Emmaus.
Although there was no score kept at the Suburban One National Swimming and Diving Championships held at Council Rock, the North Penn girls started to show hints of what was to come in the next several weeks. North Penn won the majority of the events with many girls finishing in the top six. Several championship records were also broken by the North Penn swimmers.
North Penn was the favorite to win the District One Swimming and Diving Championships that were held at the University of Pennsylvania in late February. The team did not disappoint their loyal fans. North Penn won the team title by amassing 185 ½ team points along with qualifying a number of swimmers to the state meet. The 200 yard Medley Relay team of Justine Gibbons, Julie Krail, Danielle Strader and Kristen Downey set a new district record along with Danielle Strader setting new District One records in both of her individual events the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard butterfly.
Arriving on Penn State’s campus in early March to compete in the Pennsylvania State Swimming and Diving championships was an exciting time for the North Penn swimmers. The group of girls representing the team included seniors Kristen Downey, Justine Gibbons, and Carolyn Hahn. Cathie Brittin, Darienne Drissel, Danielle Strader and Tory Young were sophomores and two freshmen Julie Krail and Tracy Ostrowski rounded out the group. The team knew deep down that if they kept their focus on the season’s goal, personal time improvements, everything would fall into place.
The North Penn Maidens were on a mission. The first race of the competition was the 200 yard Medley Relay. The North Penn team that broke the record at Districts swam to a first place finish by smashing the state record by three seconds. The winning time of 1:46.93 registered as the fastest time in 1990 of all high school medley relay teams in the United States. Rick Carroll, North Penn swimming’s respected mentor, reminded us that “so goes the medley, so goes the meet.” The team was off to a great start. Danielle Strader went on to win the 50 yard freestyle in state record time along with finishing first in the 100 yard butterfly. Julie Krail placed fifth in the 200 yard Individual Medley. After the first day of competition the young ladies from North Penn were leading the team competition by scoring a whopping 77 points. To put that first day’s team total in to perspective, Dover High School finished as state runner up by scoring a team total of 78 points after two days of competition.
The second day of state competition was just as exciting. Senior Justine Gibbons posted a personal best time and earned the silver medal in the 100 yard backstroke. Not to be out done, freshman Julie Krail was crowned state champion in the 100 yard breaststroke while breaking the state record. The 400 yard freestyle relay team of Tory Young, Darienne Drissel, Carolyn Hahn and Kristen Downey placed sixth to finish off an amazing weekend of competition. After a long season of hard work and positive mental attitudes the 1990 North Penn Swimming and Diving team was crowned PIAA State Champions by scoring 124 points.
If winning the state championship wasn’t enough, later in the summer, Swimming World Magazine recognized this amazing team of athletes by naming them the 1990 National Public High School Swimming and Diving Champions.
Mission Accomplished!
1989-1990 Dual Meet Record
Undefeated 11- 0
Vs. Upper Dublin 117-55
Vs. Methacton 132-40
Vs. Council Rock 109 -63
Vs. Pennsbury 110-62
Vs. Neshaminy 113-43
Vs. Bensalem 123-48
Vs. William Tennent 136-36
Vs. Abington 111-61
Vs. Norristown 130-38
Vs. Central Bucks West 135-32
Vs. Central Bucks East 120-52
State Titles
1990
200 yard Medley Relay Team: Justine Gibbons, Julie Krail, Danielle Strader, Kristen Downey
1:46.93 State Record, Fastest Team in the Nation
50 yard Freestyle: Danielle Strader
23.45 State Record
100 yard Butterfly: Danielle Strader
55.74
100 yard Breaststroke: Julie Krail
1:04.72 State Record
1990 PIAA State Participants
Danielle Strader, Julie Krail, Carolyn Hahn, Kristen Downey, Justine Gibbons, Tory Young, Cathie Brittin, Darienne Drissel, Tracy Ostrowski
Other members of the PIAA State Championship team
Donna Brown, Megan Bunting, Sharon Conley, Noreen Downey, Kristen Fink, Jenny Hahn, Jeanette Jansen, Melissa Kramer, Kelly Miller, Cheryl Milligan, Megan Moyer, Melissa Nagle, Jeanine Periguini, Tammy Quinn, Kristen Schickling, Kathy Schoenfelder, Barb Stuart, Sarah Szymanski, Stacey Tieger, Grace Tsuei, Lynda Vogel, Barb Weigner, Tracey Williams, Michelle Williamson, Jen Zapata, Michelle Zapata
Team Captains – Kristen Downey, Justine Gibbons, Michelle Williamson
Coaches – Selma Robinson (Head Coach), Michaeline Botti (Assistant Coach), Steve Kuttruff (Diving Coach)
FRED SHISLER
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FRED SHISLERAthlete, Lansdale High School, 1952 Basketball, Track and Field |
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Fred spent all of his 12 educational years in the Lansdale School system. He was a two sport athlete, basketball and track at Lansdale H. S. Coach Ken Poust thought he would make a good end on the football team, but his mother said “no” to football. In track Fred ran on the mile relay team, half mile relay team (4X220 relay) and the running broad jump. In his junior year he won the Bux-Mont broad jump championship. His senior year he took second place in the broad jump which helped Lansdale win the championship by one quarter of a point. Fred was a member of mile relay team that won the Bux-Mont League mile relay at the Penn Relays during a rain storm his senior year. In basketball Fred was high scorer for Lansdale his senior year and received first team all Bux-Mont honors. His senior year he was basketball captain and received The Lions Club Trophy Award. Fred was sixth in his class academically and was class president 1950, 1951 &1952. He won the WNAR Athlete of the year award in 1952. He continued his education at Gettysburg College graduating in 1956 with an AB degree. After college he continued his education at Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and received his MD degree in 1960. Following an internship at The Reading Hospital, Fred spent two years in the US Air Force. He was assigned to the dispensary at Stewart AFB, New York. Upon his discharge he spent the rest of his career as a staff physician at the Lansdale Medical Group (1963 – 1999) After retiring in 1999 Fred took up tennis and is currently playing doubles three to four days a week. Fred lives in Lansdale with his wife Terry of fifty years. Terry and Fred enjoy traveling the US and taking trips abroad. They have two children and five grandchildren who live close by. |
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SELMA BJORKLUND ROBINSON
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SELMA BJORKLUND ROBINSONAthlete, North Penn High School, 1975 Girls Swimming & Diving, Girls Cross Country |
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There have been many wonderful memories etched in my mind from my experiences with the North Penn Swimming program. I have had the good fortune to be involved in all facets of the program, first as a student athlete, then as an educator and parent. As an incoming freshman I had the honor of being part of the first high school swimming team at North Penn High School. I can remember the first day I met Rick Carroll who was nice enough to take time to show off the new natatorium, which later would be named after him, to my father and me. I marveled over the beautiful marble counters in the girls’ locker room, which I later found out were plastic, and the state of the art timing system. From that point I was committed to the program and all it had to offer. At that time, little did I know the impact the program would have on me well into my middle-age years. Starting in 1971, I participated on the high school swimming team as well as the North Penn Aquatic Club until 1975. Under the tutelage of Coach Pat Henry, I was a Bux-Mont League champion in several events, a PIAA District One top six place finisher in a few events and a PIAA state qualifier. A few of the relays I was a member of received All-American recognition. I was most honored to be named team captain my sophomore, junior and senior years. Although I was a fairly successful swimmer, I believe my claim to fame was chanting team cheers so loudly that they could be heard within a one mile radius of the pool. Swimming for Lock Haven State College allowed me to do some travelling during my college career. I had the good fortune of qualifying for AIAW nationals (before NCAA Division III hosted nationals) all four years in a variety of events. Again, my greatest swimming accomplishment in college was being named team captain my sophomore, junior and senior years. Graduation from college brought me back to Lansdale with a teaching degree in Health and Physical Education and a strong desire to coach swimming at the high school level. After getting my feet wet as a teacher and head swimming coach at Methacton High School, I was offered a teaching position as well as the position of Head Girls’ Swimming Coach at North Penn High School in the fall of 1980. The professional goal that I had set for myself in college had been met. I was so thrilled to be a coach in a program that was highly regarded across the state of Pennsylvania. Under the guidance of Rick Carroll and later the working relationship I had with Bill Berardelli allowed me to learn and grow as a coach. The ten years of coaching North Penn Swimming and Diving led to many exciting team accomplishments. The team amassed an overall dual meet record of 104 – 5 and a league dual meet record of 68-0. Six of the ten seasons finished with undefeated records with all ten seasons resulting in a league championship title. Five of the teams finished as District One Champions and three other teams finished as District One Championship runner-up. The crowning moment of my association with the North Penn Swimming program was when the 1990 Girls’ team won the PIAA State Championship and was recognized as the National Public High School Swimming Champions by Swimming World Magazine. I will forever be indebted to all the girls on that team. They were a group of athletes dedicated to the sport of swimming and were committed to the goals set forth by the team. The athletes on the 1990 team were and still are a great group of women. Many are successful professionals, loving mothers, dedicated volunteers and women that live their life with great character. My hope is that the experiences from that special swim season have, in a small way, made them who they are today. I know for me, it certainly has had an impact on who I am today. The following swim season brought a second child to the Robinson family which no longer allowed me to give the time and energy to a team that I loved. My resignation as coach was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Although I always had responsibilities throughout my adult life, the one that I take most seriously is being a mother to my two children. Bradley is twenty-five years old and working full time. Molly is a college student and is a living testament to the amount of time that has passed from that glorious season. I was almost eight months pregnant as we were making a run for the state title in early March of 1990. If feels like that season was yesterday, until I look at my twenty year old daughter. Retirement from coaching has given me time to do many things over the past twenty years above and beyond parenting my children. Community service and volunteerism have been at the forefront of my life, most recently serving as a councilwoman for the Lansdale Borough. Professionally, I am entering my thirty second year of teaching at North Penn High School while serving as Department Chair of the Health and Physical Education department. This past summer I have completed my twenty-second summer of coaching the Manufacturers’ Golf and Country Club swimming team. While I am happy that so many years of my past have been filled with coaching and mentoring the wonderful North Penn teams, I look forward to the future years of sitting in the stands, supporting and cheering on future generations of North Penn swimmers, many of them children of my former athletes! |
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DAVID PIER
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DAVID PIERAthlete, North Penn High School, 1985 Football, Baseball |
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During David’s high school career he would earn 5 varsity letters; 3 in football and 2 in baseball. After earning a starting position on the varsity football team in his sophomore year, David ended up as the team’s 5th leading tackler during his sophomore season. David started at defensive end in every game except the season opener. David’s junior year, the 1983 season, the football team went 9-2 and won the Bux-Mont League title. David started at defensive end and at the end of the year was the team’s leading tackler. He was voted the team’s defensive player of the year, as chosen by the coaching staff. David was also selected to the 1st team All Bux-Mont League at defensive end. In 1984, David’s senior year he was voted team co-captain by his coaches and teammates. After the first game he made the switch from defensive end to the linebacker position. There David would again lead the team in tackles and was the defensive player of the year. David also started on offense as the team’s tight end. The team finished the season at 8-3 and David was voted the teams Most Valuable Player. He would earn 1st team All Bux-Mont honors on defensive and was Honorable mention on offense. David was also chosen as the Philadelphia Inquirer’s 1st Team for Southeastern Pennsylvania, and was the North Penn Reporter’s Defensive Player of the Year. David was recognized as All-State Honorable Mention. During David’s baseball career he started in both his junior and senior years. As a junior the team was 21-2 and won both the Bux-Mont League Championship and the District 1 Championship. David started every game in the outfield and the team’s season ended in a 2-1, 10 inning loss in the state playoffs. David was a Co-Captain of the baseball team his senior year and started as an outfielder. He was a second team All Bux-Mont selection and was voted the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. David went to Kutztown University and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. David was an assistant football coach at Quakertown High School in 1990 and 1991 and also coached for 6 years with the Upper Perkiomen Little league. David now lives in the Boyertown School District with his wife Michell. At the young age of 41 David was blessed with the birth of identical twin girls, Kamryn and Riley, born in January of 2008. |
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ED OSWALD
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ED OSWALDAthlete, North Penn High School, 1970 Baseball, Basketball, Soccer |
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Ed was a three sport athlete soccer, basketball and baseball at North Penn. He received varsity letters in basketball and baseball his sophomore, junior and senior years and for soccer his sophomore year. In 1970 he was elected co-captain of both the basketball and baseball teams. He was first team All Bux-Mont in both sports. In his senior year Eddie also received the Lansdale Lions Club MVP for Basketball and the Genuardi’s Sports Award as NPHS’ Most Outstanding Male Athlete.After a successful athletic career at NPHS, Ed received a baseball scholarship to Rider College in Lawrenceville, NJ. Ed earned varsity letters his sophomore, junior and senior years. He graduated in 1974 with a B.S. in Economics. After graduating from Rider he has been employed as a purchasing agent and sales manager. Ed is currently the Western Regional Sales Manager for GW Plastics and resides in San Antonio, TX. Ed and his wife Ellen, of 30 years, have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. To keep in shape these days Ed runs marathons and half marathons in the fall and winter; plays hardball in San Antonio Men’s Senior Baseball League in the spring and summer. |
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