Marian’s Dando, PV’s Newton earn top seeds

As the 2019-20 winter sports season continues its path toward completion, the postseason for Times News area swimmers is heating up.

A week ago, a number of area swimmers opened the postseason at the Schuylkill League championships.

This Friday and Saturday, six area schools will be represented when the District 11 championships take place at Parkland Area High School’s Natatorium.

Leading the way among area swimmers is Marian junior Maddi Dando, who has the No.1 seed for the 2A girls 100 backstroke, along with a No. 2 seed in the 200 IM.

“Maddi is seeded first by about four seconds in the 100 backstroke, so that’s the event she has her best chance for a gold medal in,” said Marian coach, Tim Dando, who also happens to be Maddi’s father. “She is really excited about that event, and her game plan is to hopefully qualify for Nationals in the event as well.”

Last year, when Dando won the 100 backstroke for the second time at districts, she missed out on qualifying for Nationals by three tenths of a second, so her sights are set on improving upon that performance this year.

In the 200 IM, Dando stands in the second-seeded position, behind Gianna Farina of Notre Dame of Green Pond, a familiar opponent for Dando.

“We know Gianna. Maddi has raced against her plenty of times so far, so we’re hoping that she can make the most of the meet and turn in a good time,” coach Dando said. “You can tell when she’s ready for a race. She gets this look of determination on her face, and we just know she wants to get this time or win this race.”

Dando, who trains at the Freeland YMCA as a part of the Black Marlins team, competes and trains along with swimmers from Hazleton, Nativity and Berwick among others.

Emile Newton, of Panther Valley, has the No. 1 seed in the girls Class 2A 100 breaststroke.

Meanwhile, teammate Erika Zimmerman will be going after a pair of medals as she has the No. 2 seed in the 200 freestyle, and the No. 4 seed in the 500 free.

“Everyone seems really optimistic and we’re all hoping for good things,” Panther Valley coach Terri Kokinda said about Newton, Zimmerman and her daughter Jacqui Kokinda, who also qualified in a pair of events.

Based on seed times, Newton appears to have the best shot among the Panther swimmers of bringing home gold. Her time of 1:09.64 in the 100 breaststroke is nearly a second ahead of Farina of Notre Dame, who is the No. 2 seed.

The Panthers’ Zimmerman, who is only a sophomore, is hoping for a return trip to states after qualifying in the 500 last season. With a high seed in the 200 free as well, she has the possibility of qualifying in a pair of events.

Tamaqua, Palmerton and Northwestern also had swimmers qualify in the girls meet.

In the boys Class 2A meet, Palmerton’s Carson Allen has earned the No. 3 seed in the 2A 100 breaststroke; Northern Lehigh’s Jovanni Avila has a No. 4 seed in the 2A 100 free; and Scott Dillon of Northwestern has the No. 4 seed in the 2A 500 freestyle.

Tamaqua and Panther Valley also had boys who qualified for the event.

The Swimming competition opens Friday at 2:45 p,m, and will continue beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.