Manorlu has not won a Delaware Valley Swim League Championship since the year 1963. This summer however, the champion Megaducks boast a record of 10-0 going into Saturday's A ~ Championship meet.

The season was especially rewarding for coach Geoff Scheuer who has been a part of Manorlu Swim Club since he was five years old. Scheuer is in his sixth year as head coach.

"We've really been making a lot of strides the last couple of years," said Scheuer.

Last year, Manorlu beat its rival Oreland for the first time in over 30 years. This year, they beat them twice.

"For the past couple of years, our goal was to beat Oreland," said swimmer Brian Jeffers. Oreland is consistently the best team in the DVSL and has claimed eight regular season titles in the past nine years.

"That first meet, I didn't expect to win," said Scheuer. "But after we did, I started to think that maybe we could go undefeated."

Manorlu continued to dominate its opponents by 50 points or more, but in the battle for first place, Oreland was hot on their trail.

In a heart pounding fmal meet Friday night, Manorlu defeated its rivals 234-231 to clinch the league title and remain undefeated.

"It's an awesome feeling," said Jeffers. "We've been working towards this for years."

A change in attitude propelled this season. Aspirations rose among the swimmers and coaching staff.

"Our kids started to believe that they could do something like this," said Scheuer. "These kids are so driven. They have dedicated themselves way beyond what I expected when I came in as coach." Swimmer Laura Meier noticed the change too.

"Last year, it was just amazing to beat Oreland," said Meier. "Before, we were okay with a second or a third place."

This year, even the 8-and-unders know how important a point can be-and they've learned to fight for every lastplace.

"It goes a long way," said Meier. "The kids are excited to be a part of this team and they really support each other."

"They want to be more successful, they want to win," said Scheuer. "When I was on the team, you didn't see a lot of that."

Meier also gives credit to the coaches who always get the team excited to swim.

"Geoff works with each kid so that he can be ready for the meet," said Meier. "I think that his passion has given passion to everyone else."

He constantly challenges his team and they respond.

The Megaducks are fired-up for Saturday's A Champs, which will take place at their home pool. "I'm really excited for championships because this is the first shot that we've had to win the entire meet," said Jeffers.

"(Winning the regular season) gives us confidence going into A Champs," said Scheuer. "But at the same time, no matter what happens, this will always be a special season."