Pril, Knitter receive MVP honors at boys swim banquet

The June 2 post-season banquet for Fallbrook High School’s swim team included a boys swim Most Valuable Player award to senior Jacob Pril and diving MVP recognition to senior Chris Knitter.

The banquet was held at the high school cafeteria and included a slide show with season highlights as well as recognition of the swimmers and divers.

“It was nice,” said Varsity Boys Swim Coach Bill Richardson.

Pril competed in two individual championship races at the CIF meet, finishing fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke and sixth in the 200-yard freestyle. His 200-yard freestyle preliminary time of 1:42.70 set a school record. Pril was also on the 200-yard freestyle relay team which won the championship race at the CIF meet and on the 400-yard freestyle relay team which finished fourth.

“He was one of our highest-scoring individuals. He set a school record in the 200 free and was one of our top guys on our freestyle relays. Did an outstanding job all year,” Richardson said.

Knitter also set a school record at the CIF meet, scoring 250.05 points on six dives to place third. Knitter also won the Avocado League meet, which utilized an 11- dive format, and set a school 11-dive record with 388.60 points at the league meet.

The banquet did not have separate boys and girls awards for divers, and Knitter shared the diving MVP award with Jaime Lusher, who also placed third at the CIF meet. Senior Luke Jones, who placed fourth at the CIF meet and third in the league meet, earned the Most Inspirational award for divers.

“Luke was definitely a big influence on everybody there. He raised the bar,” said Sean Redmond, who coaches both boys and girls diving and is also the varsity girls swim coach.

“That pushed Chris,” Redmond said of Jones’ performances. “The two of them pushed each other.”

Shawna McCollom of the girl’s team was given the diving team’s Most Improved award.

Senior Cameron Mannino received the Most Inspirational award for boys swim. “He had intensity,” Richardson said. “He goes all out no matter what the competition.”

The boys’ Most Improved award for swimmers went to sophomore Jordan Armer, who dropped 57 seconds from his 2009 time in the 500-yard freestyle.

“He’s done real well,” Richardson said.

Senior Kevin Reichel, who was also on the 200-yard freestyle relay team which won the CIF event championship, was the recipient of the boys coach’s award.

“Kevin was probably our best all-around swimmer,” Richardson said. “Very dependable. Would take on any event you asked him to swim.”

Richardson did not have team captains, but that didn’t prevent Reichel from undertaking that responsibility.

“He kind of took that role and was just a leader for the team,” Richardson said.

Three boys junior varsity coach’s awards were also presented at the banquet and were taken home by freshman Truman Reich and sophomores Gannon Oppenborn and Tyler Vanderstelt.

Fallbrook finished second among Division I schools at the CIF meet and won the Avocado League championship. Including the divers, the Warriors’ 2010 boys swim team had 11 seniors.

“We have quite a few boys who are ready to take their place,” Richardson said.

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