On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Northampton varsity boys and girls swim team kicked off their 2016-2017 season with a new coach, a new roster of swimmers and a new outlook for a great season.

Following the retirement of veteran coach Gwen Whilden, Northampton’s former assistant coach for the past four years has taken the reigns the leader of Northampton’s varsity swim squad. Coach Cullen Mentzell, who also teaches mathematics at Northampton Senior High School, plans to leverage his experience both as an athlete and a coach to help the team get off to a great start.

Mentzell swam for Northampton during his high school career and went on to swim for Bloomsburg University during college. Mentzell returned to Northampton as an assistant coach for the 2012-2013 season.

Through preseason training, which began in September, and in-season practice, which began in November, the new coach has been working to instill a sense of personal pride and accomplishment in his swimmers.

“I want the team to know there is a purpose in everything they do,” explains Mentzell. “I tell them to try to be sharp in everything you do in practice, even if you’re not the fastest - do everything possible to do the best you can.”

The Northampton team has seen an influx of new swimmers this year with the roster brimming to 15 boys and 22 girls. The expanded number of swimmers means that Northampton has more potential for points that were given up in previous years due to a lack of swimmers to fill every event.

“Especially for the boys team, it’s about being able to fill the lanes,” Mentzell said.

Mentzell goes on to explain he is thrilled to see so many new swimmers this season.

“I’m really glad to see a lot of new kids out for this season, I’m glad they took the chance to come out and try it,” Mentzell said.

In addition to the new faces on the team, there are several returning swimmers that are expected to make a big difference for the team this year. Northampton will be looking to returning seniors Michael Bauer, Gavyn Frankenfield, Jared Iasiello and Joshua Millan as well as junior Jarin Gaumer and sophomore Jack Kennedy to lead the way for the boys.

On the girls’ team, senior Morgan Fehnel and junior Becky Nothstein along with sophomores Brynne Rockovits, Madison McCloskey, Brittany Hankee and Trinity Schoenberger are expected to lead the point earning for their team.

At press time, the team was preparing for their Tuesday season opener against Dieruff High School. This will be a busy week for the Northampton swimmers as they face William Allen on Thursday, Dec. 15, and Saucon Valley on Friday. Northampton will not have its first home meet until Thursday, Dec. 22, when they welcome East Stroudsburg North for a 4 p.m. contest.

Looking forward to a full season that spans December through the end of February, Mentzell is ready to get this season off the blocks.

“I’m excited to get the season started,” said Mentzell. “I’m anxious to see how the newer swimmers on the team do and how the guys and girls that have been here for a while step up. Overall, I’m just excited to get this season started.”