Quaker Valley grad Harkins helps win SUNY swim title

For the third consecutive season, Quaker Valley alum Harry Harkins sparkled in relays as the SUNY Geneseo men’s swimming team won the State University of New York Athletic Conference title for the seventh year in a row.

Harkins, a junior, anchored the 800-yard freestyle team that improved its meet record to 6 minutes, 50.94 seconds. He also was in the 200 freestyle (1:23.29) and 400 freestyle (3:04.71) relays that won.

“Harry is always a guy I can count on in relays. He really gets up for them,” Knights coach Paul Dotterweich said.

“I always have loved swimming in relays,” said Harkins, the 2017 WPIAL Class AA champion in the boys 50 and 100 freestyles who led the Quakers to three WPIAL titles and the 2015 PIAA crown. “(They) are a great chance to help your team score points.”

Individually, the 6-foot-2 Harkins made the A finals in the 50 freestyle (21.63), 100 freestyle (47.40) and 200 freestyle (1:45.90).

Nine teams scored.

Dotterweich said Harkins stepped up as a leader.

“I look forward to him filling that role again,” he said.

Harkins, who is studying international relations, said he has a few times he wants to hit before retiring.

“And I would love to get back to nationals,” he said.

Harkins competed in the 2018 championship in four relays.

Quaker Valley graduate and Westminster senior Matt Kwalick (1:42.82) capped his career with a gold medal in the 200 freestyle at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship.

Kwalick, the 2015 PIAA champion in the 200 individual medley, also was in four relays that won.

“It has been wonderful to get to know Matt for the past four years,” Titans coach Pat Smith said.

“His legacy will be for the attitude he brought to practice each day.”