Former Hampton standout making waves at Gannon

Former state champion Will Retsch graduated from Hampton as one of the most decorated swimmers in program history.

He didn’t need long to make a splash in college.

Retsch broke the Gannon school record in the 200 individual medley less than two months into his freshman season and is following up with another outstanding year.

“He’s doing really great,” Gannon interim coach Katie Cowan said. “He’s one of our hardest workers and he performs consistently. … He’s definitely stronger and faster. His technique was good before, and it still is.”

Retsch, a 19-year-old sophomore, was named the PSAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week on Jan. 30 after winning a combined five individual events in two home dual meets on back-to-back days.

As of early this month, the 5-foot-9, 155-pound Retsch was beginning to taper in preparation for the PSAC Swimming Championships on Feb. 14-17 at Carlisle. The meet took place after the deadline for this edition.

Retsch placed second in the 200 IM and third in the 400 IM as a freshman at the PSAC championships. Earlier in his freshman season, he set the 200 IM record at the Division II school with a time of 1 minute, 50.08 seconds.

His fastest 200 IM this season heading into the PSAC championships was 1:52.11, set at the Magnus Cup on Nov. 16, but he expects to trim some time as he prepares for the postseason.

“My goal time is definitely under 1:50,” Retsch said. “I’ve been 1:50.08 since last year, and I really want to break that 1:50 mark.”

Retsch was also expected to compete individually in the 400 IM, the 100 backstroke and the 200 backstroke at the PSAC finals.

“I anticipate he will be much, much faster,” said Cowan, who added Retsch would likely need a 200 IM time of roughly 1:48.5 to have a chance at qualifying for the NCAA Division II championships. “If he puts together all the splits, then yes. He definitely has the speed and the ability to do it. It’s just putting it all together. There is a chance.”

Retsch’s success in college isn’t a surprise. He shattered the WPIAL Class 2A 200 IM record as a senior (1:51.81), leading the Talbots to their second consecutive team title, and went on to win the PIAA championship in the event. He also was the WPIAL champion in the 100 butterfly and graduated from Hampton in 2022 with school records in the 200 IM, 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke.

After his breakthrough freshman season at Gannon, Retsch continued to train. He increased his work in the weight room and said he swam six days a week, logging about 5,000-6,000 meters — or roughly 3.5 miles — each day.

He focused on the breaststroke, the weakest leg of his IM, and worked on his underwater technique, including dolphin kicks and pullouts.

“He pays a lot of attention to that and he’s been working on that a lot,” Cowan said. “All of that has gotten better.”

All this while posting a 3.8 GPA as an environmental engineering major at the Erie school.

Retsch showed his versatility this season, posting dual-meet wins in the 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 backstroke, 200 IM and 400 IM. He also swam the butterfly as part of the fastest 200 medley relay team in school history.

Retsch, who started competing in the individual medley as a Hampton freshman, takes pride in being to compete — and do well — in just about any event his coaches need him.

“I get bored when I train only one stroke, a one-event kind of thing,” he said. “I love just being able to change it up whenever I want and do anything.”