Treading water no more

By Derek Pyda Eagle Staff Writer

January 05, 2017 Last Updated: January 05, 2017 10:10 AM High School

Butler's Rachel Ledford swims the 200-yard freestyle against Mars duiring the Golden Tornado's victory Wednesday night. Ledford won the event and the 100-yard backstroke.

Butler girls swimmers defeat Mars, match last year's win total

BUTLER TWP — Butler's girls swimming and diving team was looking for more success this season.

Already matching last year's win total is a good start.

The Golden Tornado defeated visiting Mars 92-72 Wednesday night, moving their record to 2-0. Butler finished 2-9 last year.

“This is the first time in the five years since I returned to coach here that the girls team has started 2-0,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “The girls are led by upperclassmen — Morgan Keelan, Emma Weiss and Liz Graham.

“So far this season, we have been a little deeper,” he added. “The freshman class has added some value to the team, filling out events with some higher caliber swimmers.”

Sophomore Rachel Ledford was Butler's one double winner in individual events, taking the 200-yard freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Laura Goettler placed first in the individual medley and also swam an event-best 1:09.0 in the 100 breaststroke, but that was an exhibition that did not count toward the Tornado's team total.

Mars' girls had two highlights in individual competition. Taylor Hockenberry, last year's WPIAL and PIAA Class AA diving champ, was first with a score of 294.75. Freshman swimmer Caroline Stamper placed first in the 50 freestyle.

“She came out of the Seneca Valley Swim Club and is a powerful sprinter,” said Planet coach Hans Bergh, “but has dealt with two injuries the last couple of years. It looks like she has recovered.”

“I injured my shoulder two years ago and was out for two months,” Stamper said. “Then this past September, I tore a tendon in my back and didn't make it back until the start of the season.

“I want to make WPIALs this year. I'm only a second away from qualifying in the 50.”

Brothers Joe and Alex Deemer led Butler's boys in a 91-71 victory.

A senior, Joe Deemer won the 100 and 200 freestyle events while Alex, a sophomore, took the individual medley and the butterfly.

“Both are right where we need them to be when it comes to time,” said Bocci. “Alex swam a 1:46 in the 200 freestyle against Knoch (Dec. 20) and that's a really good in-season time.”

Mars' Tommy Hall earned a victory in the 50 freestyle. He hopes to make it back to the WPIAL championship meet, where he competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle last March.

“He was dealing with (mononucleosis) near the end of last year,” said Bergh. “That's not something you come back from right away, but he's made progress.”

Girls

Butler 92, Mars 72

200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Rachel Ledford, Laura Goettler, Emma Weiss, Morgan Keelan) 1:57.17

200 freestyle: 1-Rachel Ledford (B) 2:10.69

200 individual medley: 1-Laura Goettler (B) 2:11.1

50 freestyle: 1-Caroline Stamper (M) 26.85

1-meter diving: 1-Taylor Hockenberry (M) 294.75

100 butterfly: 1-Emma Weiss (B) 1:03.56

100 freestyle: 1-Morgan Keelan (B) 1:00.74

500 freestyle: 1-Ellie Weiss (B) 5:53.74

200 freestyle relay: 1-Mars (Jenna Halenda, Grace Huff, Kylie Fenton, Caroline Stamper) 1:57.43

100 backstroke: 1-Rachel Ledford (B) 1:06.55