Bangor, Old Town to vie for PVC title

Coach Phil Emery’s Bangor High School swimmers and divers completed the dual-meet season undefeated as did Dave Ploch’s Old Town Indians.

In their recent dual meet, the Indians and the Rams tied 93-93. Both squads will bring to the Penobscot Valley Conference Championship a determination to prove that they are the fastest racers in the PVC.

Diving action is scheduled to begin Friday at 4 p.m. with the swimming to begin at 6 p.m. The meet is at the Bangor YWCA Aloupis Pool.

Added to the Old Town-Bangor tussle for the crown, the PVC will showcase racers from Brewer, Mount Desert Island, Orono and John Bapst of Bangor. Each of those teams has individuals who will impact the meet and, in some cases, take points away from the Rams and the Indians.

Brewer’s Jimmy Badershall flies near the top of the Class A ranking for the 100 butterflyers while MDI’s Ryan Donohue is speedy in the sprint freestyle. Orono Coach Gary Theriault has Tim Holmberg (5:15, 500 free) one of the state’s leaders, as well as, Josh Horton, a classy diver.

The Crusaders of John Bapst are improving and will gain some points. The Crusaders and other schools will stir the PVC harbor for both the Rams and the Indians.

Ploch’s Indians, who dominated Class B swimming during the 1980s, are led by senior Brett Stoyell. Stoyell, who can compete in the individual medley, fly, back or free, gives Ploch a powerful strike. Add to Stoyell’s talents, the racing of Adam Kepple, Brian and Shawn Talon, Constantine Markides, Tracey Comeau, and Jeff Shirland, and Ploch’s lineup has versatility and speed.

With five divers, led by Jaret Lizzotte, Old Town anticipates grabbing a bundle of points in the diving.

Meanwhile, Bangor with its traditional depth and championship season peaking, can pack each swimming event with several racers who will score points. Parke Oldenburg (22.8, 50 free), the speediest in Class A, heads Emery’s team which has recorded the fastest Class A times in the 200 medley relay, 400 free relay, and 200 free relay this season.

Ben Carlisle, with his dual-meet season improvement, gives Bangor a challenging entry in the 200 and 500 free while Todd Oldenburg swings between the 200 free, 200 IM, 100 back, and 500 free. Emery’s breaststroker Dan Reid is the Class A leader.

However, as both Emery and Ploch know, this year’s PVC champion will be a team which receives contributing performances from both the front line and the second- and third-line entries.