BUTLER TWP — According to Butler High swim coach Dave Bocci, Laura Goettler has turned in “a very solid season to this point.”

But the Golden Tornado freshman isn’t about to stop now.

Goettler enters the WPIAL Class AAA Championships, scheduled Thursday and Friday at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool, seeded in a medal position (top eight) in both the 200-yard individual medley (third) and 100 breaststroke (fifth).

Though a newcomer to Butler’s varsity girls squad, Goettler’s reputation preceded her.

“She’s been involved in the sport a long time and swam at the Junior National meet at Ohio State University last December,” said Bocci. “The breaststroke is a natural fit for her. Her best event is actually the 200 breaststroke, but unfortunately, it’s not included in high school.”

Despite swimming in high-profile events before, Goettler expects to be dealing with nerves this week.

“They’ll definitely be there because I know a lot of the other swimmers and some of them are really good,” she said.

That being the case, Goettler still isn’t letting her youth get in the way of setting her goals high.

“It would be a disappointment if I didn’t qualify for the state meet,” she said. “Considering where I’m seeded, I think states can be my best meet.”

Her seed times entering WPIALs are 2 minutes, 8.28 seconds in the IM and 1:05.97 in the breaststroke.

“Getting a lifetime best (time) is always the goal in big meets,” said Bocci. “If she could go 1:03 in the breaststroke and 2:04 in the IM, that would be excellent.”

Boys

Seneca Valley has its own freshman looking to leave his mark at Trees Pool.

Like Goettler, Owen Blazer entered high school with a high ceiling to his swimming career.

He is ranked sixth in the district in the 100 butterfly (53.18) and tenth in the 100 backstroke (55.21).

“I talked with Coach (Brian) Blackwell at the beginning of the season and he fully expected me to make states this year,” said Blazer, who has been a member of the Seneca Valley Swim Club for nine years. “For me, it became a more reasonable goal as the season went on.

“The butterfly has been an important event for me since I was 12. I feel a lot more confident in it than I do in the backstroke.”

“We’ve seen him progress in club and have been eyeing this up for the last couple of years,” Blackwell said. “His fly kicks are developing well and he’s operating at a higher level. We’re hoping he can medal and make it to states.”

Butler’s Deemer brothers are hoping to extend their season as well.

Joe, a senior, is ranked eighth in the butterfly. Alex, a sophomore, is sixth in the 500 freestyle.

“We have very high hopes for both of them,” said Bocci. “They’re both (seeded) in a great position and have been swimming great of late. Hopefully, they can carry it into this week.”