Sophie Han ‘27
Sep 20, 2024
Mercersburg Academy has officially introduced Matt Hurst as the future head swimming coach. With his coaching experience at top Division 1 college swimming programs, Hurst brings a focus on team unity and individual growth. Swimmers are optimistic, noting the advancements and promising commitment to elevate performance.
After being introduced to Hurst’s coaching background, veteran swimmer Sierra Guo ’25 said, “Coach Matt has seen the whole range of swimmers to understand what we need as a high school swim team and incorporate what he knows to help us be better.” Teammate Quinn Larkin ’25 added, “Coach Matt was a sprint coach at Penn State, so we’ll likely add speed work and resistance training.”
Hurst outlined his goals: “The plan for the program is to continue our progress, and the critical question to this sea- son is whether we can win Easterns for both genders. I want to prepare our swimmers, both from a competitive stand- point and a health and emotional standpoint, to be ready collectively in February and do the best we can.”
As the swimmers work towards this goal, they have made observations about what it’s like to train under Hurst. Aman- da Lietchi ’28 and Asher Keim ’28 agreed, “It’s really helpful when Coach Matt explains the sets’ purpose and mechan- ics. It helps me understand what he wants us to focus on each practice.” Regarding Hurst’s prudent purpose in coach- ing, Sophie Koroma ’26 said, “Explaining the set’s insights in detail has been a new and effective approach.”
“I’m sure the swimmers have already noticed that Hurst and I are very close as coaches and friends,” said longstanding head coach Glenn Neufeld. “He is an exceptional coach, and an even better person, and he cares about the athletes just as much as I do. The best advice I can give him is to be himself.”
After witnessing the team’s enthusiasm, Hurst commented on his impression of the team: “The level of maturity for the swimmers to come into the pool every day, to understand what they need, and be eagerly willing to adapt to their new head coach, it’s making me look forward to putting in my little spin on top of keeping the traditions and cultures we have already.”
“It’s been fun—a great team with great culture. We got a couple more people on the team for each grade, and that made the start of the season very exciting,” praised Nick Green ’25. “I like how Coach Matt purposely doesn’t group the swimmers’ lanes by their speed but enables us to be spontaneous with high morale.”
Comparing the team dynamic between this year and last year, Antonina Sech ’26 commented, “The team had gray areas that indicated the team bonding was not up to expectation, but this year, with the care and help from our coaches, I feel like the team has much more color and vibrance in it.”
Sebastian Tith ’27 empathized, “The team is as connect- ed as ever; if anything, we have become a lot closer.” Tea- gan Mewett ’27 and Elizabeth Young ’27 agreed, “The swim team has felt a lot more like family to me, with more bond- ing through eating dinners together after practice, and a new ‘Goal Wall’ that motivates us every day—it’s great because we all want to be with people who accept and support us.”
“So far, I have already seen many good signs when the team engages with Coach Matt to prove that we will have a great year while Matt and I work together this year,” concluded Neufeld. “Fortunately, the biggest beneficiary of this cooperation would be our swimmers.”