Cami Schwartz’s approach to swimming is not the same as most other champions in the pool. While many top-level scholastic swimmers focus on the sport all year, Schwartz also participates in field hockey and track and field for Manheim Township. With the Blue Streaks reaching the field hockey state final last year and the quarterfinals […]
Cami Schwartz’s approach to swimming is not the same as most other champions in the pool.
While many top-level scholastic swimmers focus on the sport all year, Schwartz also participates in field hockey and track and field for Manheim Township.
With the Blue Streaks reaching the field hockey state final last year and the quarterfinals this fall, her time to work on her stroke has been reduced the last two years.
“My swim season doesn’t start until field hockey ends,” Schwartz said. “I had one month of practice. I have to cherish each moment of practice I get in the pool.”
But if that has affected her at all, she doesn’t show it.
Schwartz won three Lancaster-Lebanon League gold medals last year, one on her own in the 200-yard IM and two more with the 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams.
Though she only had the summer and a few weeks before the winter season to improve her technique, Schwartz said that she is entering this season as an improved competitor.
“I’ve gone through a lot of training,” Schwartz said. “My coaches have put a lot of work into making me a stronger, more intelligent and more well-rounded swimmer. It’s allowed me to progress to new levels.”
It’s not just a journey to better times and places in meets, it’s also a journey of self-discovery, at least on the athletic side of her life.
“Honestly my (greatest improvement) is just growing in my swimming knowledge, knowing more about myself and what I need,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz contributed to Manheim Township’s 118-51 L-L Section One victory at Warwick on Wednesday night with two solo wins and by contributing to a relay victory.
The junior won the 200 IM in 2:13.34 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.25. In the relay, the teamed with Emerson Mandrell, Isabella Del Castillo and Adrianna Anujin for a 1:52.14.
That’s a good all-around night, but it takes a lot for Schwartz to be satisfied.
“Goals wouldn’t be goals if they weren’t hard,” Schwartz said. “I want to see myself improve and my teammates improve around me.”
Apart from Schwartz’s wins, the Blue Streaks (2-0 Section One, 2-0) also won the 50 freestyle (Adora Emuwa, 24.51), 100 butterfly (Del Castillo, 59.70), 100 freestyle (Delaney Connors, 56.23), 500 freestyle (Rain Davies (5:54.04) and 100 backstroke (Mandrell, 1:02.80).
Manheim Township also won the 200 freestyle relay, as Connors, Anujin, Rowan Yingst, and Emuwa posted a 1:43.47. The Blue Streaks’ team of Emuwa, Del Castillo, Connors and Mandrell won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:50.20.
Linnea Miller won the 200 freestyle in 2:10.52 for Warwick (1-1, 1-1).
In the boys meet, Manheim Township defeated Warwick 102-68.
The Blue Streaks (2-0, 2-0) won six of 11 events, but through several runner-up points posted the easy victory.
Individual winners for Manheim Township were Jack Commerce in the 50 freestyle (23.68) and 100 freestyle (53.19), Bram Burge in the 100 butterfly (58.47) and Brayden Pyott in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.79).
Manheim Township’s 400 medley relay team of Cole Stevens, Pyott, Burge and Commerce won in 1:41.49. Burge, Commerce, Kent Sarsuelo and Stevens also won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:35.49.
Brody Reber and John Moll each won two events for the Warriors (1-1, 1-1). Reber took the 200 freestyle in 1:47.63 and the 100 backstroke in 53.22. Moll won the 200 IM in 2:03.46 and the 500 freestyle in 4:57.52.
Reber, Isaac Monaghan, Benjamin Rohrer and Moll won the 200 freestyle in 1:35.10.
