The Emmaus boys swimming and diving team sets out to defend its 15 straight district championships as others – primarily rival Parkland – look to end the streak. The Hornets have good numbers to draw from and depth to help them through the season.

Senior Logan Shriver was a silver medalist at districts last season in the 500-yard freestyle event and Griffin Messenlehner, who won gold in the 100-yard backstroke last season is back for his junior season and looking to repeat and crack his way into the top finishers at states.

Emmaus is known for strong relay teams and the Hornets’ 400-yard freestyle relay team finished eighth at states last season and figure to be strong again this season.

“I think we have a really good boys team again,” said coach Tim O’Connor. “Not necessarily to the level of a state championship caliber team, but we have some swimmers who definitely gave goals of getting medals at states, whether it’s in individual events or relays. They’re willing to work for it, and they know that’s an uncommon goal and they have to give a little more and they’re willing to do that.”

The roster has just four seniors this season with Logan Hartman, Nick Heffner, Garrett Longbons and Shriver comprising the senior class. Andrew Taylor, who swam for Emmaus in the 100-yard freestyle last season at states, graduated, leaving an opening for someone to step into this season.

In addition to the small number of seniors, the Hornets have just three junior swimmers on the roster with sophomores and freshmen comprising most of the roster spots for O’Connor.

“The young kids that are coming in are really soaking up everything we give them, and they are seeking out the seniors to get input from them,” said O’Connor. “We have kids who are willing to swim any event even if it’s out of their comfort zone and as a coach, that’s what you want to see.”

The perennial battle between Parkland and Emmaus figures to be a good one this season. Parkland’s boys team has a number of good swimmers who have progressed over the summer and will look to challenge Emmaus. The first meeting of the two teams is coming up December 21 when they clash in a dual meet at Parkland.

This year’s Cedar Crest Classic will also match the two teams as they also have strong programs from outside of the Lehigh Valley participating. Then the district meet rolls around as Emmaus defends its streak of wins over the Trojans.

“I really like having that meet early in the season,” said O’Connor. “We get a lot of alumni back for both sides and school is out, so the kids can kind of put that out of their minds for a little and just come in and swim fast.

“We want the kids to really get the most out of that meet and we get to face them early and then have eight weeks until we go up against them again, so there is not a lot of familiarity that carries over because some kids will get much better over that time. There is everything that goes with the rivalry, but ultimately, we just want the kids to swim fast, have a good time and compete against other good swimmers.”