Masterman Swim Team Strokes Towards Success

The Masterman Swim team splashed into the season facing turbulence in the waters. In addition to losing several key swimmers to graduation, facility issues limited the team’s pool access. Rather than let these issues dampen their spirits, the team seized on the opportunity to flip-turn the situation, and propelled themselves off the wall into a successful season led by captains Kristina Kitzul (Sr.), Cara Neu (Sr.), Isabelle “Izzy” Trieu (So.), Jason Zhang (Jr.), Arjun Ayha (Sr.), and Jasper Hinchman (Sr.). Through hard work, resourcefulness, and discipline, the team achieved many athletic accomplishments and made strong friendships along the way that will build the base for future success in the years to come.

Joining the team’s seasoned returning athletes, this year's Swim roster hosted a plethora of new freshmen and swimmers entirely new to the sport. Head Coach Kohler and the captains worked in tandem to help teach and support the new swimmers. According to Izzy, the swim season was characterized by the massive improvements of her beginner teammates: “My favorite part of the season was watching the freshmen and people who haven't swum in their lives before get more confident in the water and start to become vital members of the team.” Jason shared these sentiments, adding that despite this year’s schedule change disrupting the availability of the YMCA pool, the swimmers still attended “full-district workshops” where the more advanced swimmers taught fundamental skills to the newcomers. Izzy highlighted a specific story that demonstrates the success of a new swimmer: “In tryouts there was a freshman that couldn’t swim the entirety of the pool. She had to stop in the middle of the lane and get out. By the end of the season at public leagues, [the championship meet], she swam a 49-second 50 freestyle time and was able to get off the block and swim her race so that was really impressive.”

As the season wrapped up, the team hosted its first ever Senior Day in program history to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the seniors: Ben Chiem, Arjun Ayha, Jasper Hinchman, Kristina Kitsul, and Cara Neu. The underclassmen worked together to make posters, put together gift bags, and sign swimming caps. The team also used this day to celebrate a senior from Philadelphia Academy Charter School, who swims independently since she didn’t have a team around her. The Senior Day meet ended the regular season on a high note and provided inertia heading into the Public League Championship meet. Swimmers hope the newly started Senior Day tradition continues for years to come.

The hard work throughout the season was highlighted at the Public League Championship meet where the Masterman Swim Team competed against the other top Public League teams at Drexel University. Throughout the meet Central and Masterman proved to be the best of the Public League and were vying for the first place finish. Unfortunately, the Masterman team ended up falling just short, with Central edging them out 117-112. The team also placed second in the individual championship meet. Manav Jha (Jr.) had a standout performance at the individual championship with his first place finish on the 100-meter backstroke. 

In but one testament to the success of the season, many swimmers went on to compete in districts after the Public League Championship. Against the fastest swimmers in the entire state, Kristina Kitsul placed in the top-20 of the district in both the 100-butterfly and the 500-freestyle, clinching her a spot in the States. There, she impressively finished among the top 30 swimmers in the state.

As the season came to a close, the swimmers took the time to reflect on the impact Coach Kohler has had on the program. Izzy commented on Coach Kohler’s influence: “He has done so much. He has taught so many people how to swim. He has made people confident swimmers. He's been teaching and lifeguarding and revolving his life around swimming for 30 years. He is 70 now and he’s still on his feet. He was going to retire last year but we needed a coach this year so he came back.” Throughout the entire season Coach Kohler did not get paid for his work as head coach due to the Philadelphia School District budget cuts. Jason added, “He’s always so kind and understanding and grandfatherly and I think just about everyone would agree that he’s going to be very much missed. I believe he’s now going on a trip to Europe and I hope he has a blast.” 

Going into next swim season the team hopes to build upon this year's success and find a coach who will be able to meet the high standard Coach Kohler has set!