Southeastern Pa. field hockey, swimming notes

It isn't likely that longtime Villa Maria Academy field hockey coach Maurene Polley will forget her induction into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Not when at least 150 people - former players, coaches, and others with some connection to Villa and its field hockey program - showed up for her induction luncheon Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

"I had fun from the day's start," said Polley, the Hurricanes coach since 1968, when she graduated from West Chester State Teachers College (now West Chester University).

Polley said she still can't believe the number of people who showed up to share in her induction.

"I had the time of my life," she said. "Afterward, my husband, Ron, had a reception for me at the Lamb Tavern in Delaware County that went on forever."

Janet Cody, who has been Polley's assistant and worked to get her boss recognized, said the school had reserved 15 tables, seating 10 people apiece, for the affair

"She was queen for the weekend," said Cody, who introduced Polley to the more than 800 at the luncheon.

Mary Ann Parson, a mother from the school, produced a video on Polley that was shown at the luncheon. Polley also received a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

"I agreed to do the video if I got to edit it, but I never got the chance," Polley said with a laugh.

Double duty. Perkiomen Valley swim coach Jack Graham says it's tough competing in both the Ches-Mont League and the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

The Vikings appear to be enjoying themselves, however, with both the boys' and girls' team off to perfect 7-0 seasons.

The Perkiomen Valley girls ended Downingtown West's 51-meet winning streak in the Ches-Mont on Jan. 13 and are on an 11-meet string of their own. They haven't lost since bowing to West a year ago.

"We keep talking about going 30-0 [boys and girls combined]," Graham said. "That's something we've never done."

Two of Graham's top swimmers say they believe the girls certainly have a good chance of doing their part. Seniors Caroline Hodgins and Ashley Dix, junior Maggie Bryner, and sophomore Sam Schroeder have provided the a big lift for the Vikings.

"It's been an incredible run," said Hodgins, who forms strong 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams with Dix, Schroeder, and Bryner. "We have depth across the board. We want to send a lot more people to districts and states this year and score more points than we did last year."

Dix likes being in two leagues. She says it gives her team a better view of what competition is out there when is comes to the postseason.

The win over Downingtown West, a perennial power, was huge for the Vikings. They also beat four-time PAC-10 champ Owen J. Roberts.

Soon will come another power, Boyertown, in early February.

"You like those close races," Dix said.