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New Oxford celebrates first home swim meet in program history
The Colonials have been the visiting team in swim meets for over 40 years.
The swimming program at New Oxford had a lengthy wait for their first home meet.
Throughout the years, the Colonials have acted as the home team during competitions held in other facilities, yet they lacked a swimming pool to genuinely call their own.
That all transformed on Thursday.
For the inaugural time in the program’s 40-plus year legacy, New Oxford conducted a meeting. Within their own pool. Adorned with school and senior banners on the walls.
The location being the North Hanover YMCA or Susquehannock achieving victories in both boys’ and girls’ events didn’t detract from the occasion. Even the absence of the national anthem being played wasn’t an issue; the large crowd simply sang it. Resoundingly.
“I never imagined this was achievable,” said New Oxford coach Ben Olewiler. “In my four years here, I never considered it.”
Lacking a pool facility at their high school, the Colonials consistently practiced off-campus. They utilized the Hanover Y previously, but that connection waned when the club team diminished. For nearly a decade, they occupied early morning practices in the pool at Cross Keys Village senior living community.
Training in that environment fostered relationships between the swimmers and residents, leading to shared holiday activities, gift packages, and board games.
Junior Madison Keffer, the first female swimmer from New Oxford to secure victory in a home individual event with her triumph in the 100 butterfly, is optimistic that relocating to the Y will enhance community connections.
“This is fantastic,” Keffer remarked. “What an incredible atmosphere. We are so appreciative of the team and coaches for making this a reality. It genuinely feels like a home.”
She may not be far from the truth.
For Keffer and the other participants of the revitalized Hanover Y club program, it may feel as though they spend more time in that pool than in their actual homes. At least during daylight hours.
Considering the twice-a-day workouts, competitions, and school responsibilities, she may be accurate.
The revival of that club program has paved the way for the Colonials to swim at the Y.
“Two years ago, I was asked to reinstate the club program,” Olewiler explained. “Upon doing so, it led me to contemplate utilizing the pool. New Oxford used to practice here. We initiated discussions, and now here we are.”
Olewiler indicated that the club program is crucial for the Colonials as it has historically functioned as their feeder system. He is entirely devoted to enhancing the New Oxford program.
had 46 swimmers try out for the team this year, which includes 18 newcomers. The program welcomes all students in the school, and he never eliminates anyone. This year, he has international exchange students from Italy, France, and Bangladesh participating on the team. When one of them is in the water, their teammates stand at the edge and wave small flags representing that country.
“That athlete right there, Kobe Reck, he competed in wrestling for three years and signed up for swimming this year,” Olewiler remarked while the senior swam the final leg of the 200 free relay.
The Colonials also accommodate independent swimmers from Bermudian Springs, Hanover, and York County Tech. Their schools do not provide swimming programs, so they practice with New Oxford and compete in meets when possible. Their times contribute to the postseason, though not to the Colonials’ overall scores.
The independents receive the same support and coaching from fellow swimmers and staff as the New Oxford athletes. The only distinguishing factor in the meet is their varied swimsuits.
Even those were hardly noticeable on Thursday due to the wide smiles and spirited cheers. Hanover’s Y has limited seating on the pool deck, so it quickly turned into standing room only, extending out the door and along the hall.
“Can you believe this?” Olewiler exclaimed at the onset of the meet. “They had to open the section behind the blocks, and that’s never done.”
For his son, Karter, a junior, it was a dream realized. He was concerned they would be competing in front of empty stands.
Karter joined Ethan Madrigal, Tyler O’Brien, and Devon Finkner in achieving the Colonials’ first victory by winning the 200 medley relay to kick off the meet. Karter then became New Oxford’s first individual winner in the 50 free. O’Brien and Madrigal also emerged as multiple individual winners for the Colonials — O’Brien in the 100 fly and 100 back, and Madrigal in the 400 free and 100 breast.
“This met all expectations,” Karter stated. “This feeling is incredible. It doesn’t matter who wins. What truly matters is hosting our first home meet.”
Shelly Stallsmith covers York-Adams high school athletics for GameTimePA and the USAToday Network. Reach out to her via email at [email protected] or on X, formerly Twitter, @ShelStallsmith.
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