And then there were 2
ADAMS TWP — When he became head coach of the Mars boys swimming team in 2014, Hans Bergh knew that Jimmy Pierre and Joseph Folz were talented swimmers.
He has since come to appreciate their role as team leaders.
Pierre and Folz are the last two remaining members of the Planets’ six-member squad that won the WPIAL and PIAA Class AA team championships in the late winter of 2014.
The other members — Chris Georgiadis and Tommy Pierre (Class of 2014) and Francis Folz and Reed McDonough (2015) — each graduated.
Joseph Folz remembers one aspect of the state title effort very vividly.
“The whole team gathered together and we were tallying up the points we needed in the last event (400 freestyle relay) to win the championship,” he said. “We had wanted to win a state title, but that is when it was truly within our grasp.”
Bergh knows that being part of a team that accomplished so much can only help Jimmy Pierre and Joseph Folz, now seniors, as they strive to reach individual and team goals. Both have swam individually at WPIALs for three straight years and in the state meet the last two seasons.
“Joseph and Jimmy both were immersed in the experiences of that year — the hard work, dedication and determination that led to the resulting victory. That is what they bring to the team and can pass on to the next generation.”
The Planets now have some valuable depth with 10 swimmers and a diver.
“We want to keep everybody excited for every meet,” said Pierre. “No matter how small a team is, it still has a shot if you work hard. Hopefully, we can match a few of the things we accomplished that year.”
Swimming is a demanding sport to begin with, but for a team like Mars that has no pool, it can ask even more of its participants. The Planets practice at Pine-Richland High School, which makes mornings come even earlier.
“I’m in the pool six days every week, about 20 hours per week plus lifting,” said Folz. “You have to work as hard as possible and always be shooting for better times. I’ve seen great swimmers come out of Mars High School and I want to be one of them.”
While Folz is focusing individually on the 200 and 500 freestyle events this season, Pierre is swimming the 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley.
“The goals for the team this year are to win our (third) straight section title,” said Bergh, “and place within the top five at the WPIAL meet. There is some truly steep competition in the district this year, but we anticipate at least placing in the third or fourth spot.”
