From fab freshman to super sophomore?
BUTLER TWP — Butler's Laura Goettler swam her way to a memorable freshman season. If she has it her way, her sophomore campaign will be even better.
Goettler won a WPIAL Class AAA title in the girls 200-yard individual medley last March with a district-meet record time of two minutes, 1.78 seconds.
“I'd like to break that this year,” said Goettler. “I think I can get under two minutes.
“It is weird going after my own record,” she added. “It does add a bit more pressure and I'd feel disappointed if I didn't get it.”
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Goettler also medaled in the breaststroke at WPIALs, placing second and missing out on a second title by just .35 seconds.Golden Tornado coach Dave Bocci believes Goettler is doing everything she needs to do to take the next step.“She's technically sound in all strokes,” he said. “She had a very good offseason and is way ahead of where she was this time last year.“As she gets older, she's only going to get better.”Following are preview capsules for the Butler County-area high school swimming and diving teams.ButlerCoach: Dave Bocci, 6th yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: senior Emma Weiss (backstroke, butterfly); junior Rachel Ledford (200 IM, backstroke); sophomores Laura Goettler (200 IM, breaststroke) and Paige Williams (diving).Outlook: “We have a bigger girls team this year and should have more flexibility in the lineup,” said Bocci.BoysReturning district meet performers: seniors Jonathan Hansotte (diving), Evan Randolph (diving) and Jack Regal (diving); juniors Alex Deemer (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle), Zach Callithen (relays), Simon Diehl (relays).Outlook: “We're younger on the boys side this season, but we have talent,” said Bocci. “Alex has taken the lead.”C.W. North CatholicCoach: T.J. Barry, 3rd yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: senior Brooke Carmazzi (breaststroke, IM); sophomores Emily Paul (butterfly) and Anna Schoeppner (backstroke).Outlook: “We have a strong freshman class,” Barry said. “My girls team is going to be pretty good.”BoysReturning district meet performers: sophomores Kyle Maziarz (50 freestyle), Anthony Radasio (butterfly) and Thomas Kunz (relays).Outlook: “The boys program is going to take a little effort to get on track, but we should be better than last year,” Barry said.FreeportCoach: Nikki Heasley, 7th yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: junior Ariana Clark (butterfly, backstroke).Outlook: “We want Ariana to have a stronger showing at WPIALs,” said Heasley. “She did a good job of dropping time with her club team.”BoysReturning district meet performers: sophomore Carver Clark (200 freestyle, breaststroke).Outlook: “If Carver buckles down and puts his mind to it, he can take the next step,” said Heasley.KnochCoach: Corrie Jones, 1st yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: senior Maya Wirtz (200 IM, breaststroke); juniors Abby Beilstein (500 freestyle), Vanessa Robb (diving); sophomores Lindsey Fanton (200 freestyle, butterfly), Grace Phillips (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle), Claire Lindsey (breaststroke), Amelia Walls (relays), Heather Wittmer (relays), Aryanna Napora (diving)Outlook: “We lost some top-notch swimmers the last couple of years and have a big void to fill,” Jones said, “but it doesn't seem to fluster these girls. We're hoping to get a couple of them to states.”BoysReturning district meet performers: senior Matt Karenbauer (butterfly, backstroke); sophomore Braden Zukowski (200 IM, breaststroke)Outlook: “We need Matt and Braden to provide leadership,” Jones said. “We have a talented group of younger kids and they are progressing quickly. I am pleased with where we are.”MarsCoach: Todd Slobodnyak, 1st yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: sophomore Caroline Stamper (50 freestyle)Outlook: “We have a strong freshman class coming in,” said Slobodnyak. “We're hoping to get more girls to the district meet as well as one, if not two, relays there, too.”BoysReturning district meet performers: seniors Andrew Ivory (200 IM, breaststroke), Austin Gilstrap (200 IM, 500 freestyle); junior Andrew Pierre (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle)Outlook: “The boys team fell short of its goals the last couple of years,” said Slobodnyak. “We are rebuilding the culture here with Austin, Andrew Ivory and Andrew Pierre leading the way.”Seneca ValleyCoach: Brian Blackwell, 7th yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: seniors Taylor Barry (200 IM) and Peyton Moore (diving); juniors Marleah Schlick (backstroke, 200 IM), Katie Clark (breaststroke), Alyvia Meanor (butterfly, 50 freestyle), Katelyn Caccamo (diving); sophomores Taylor Schoeffel (500 freestyle, backstroke), Gianna Petrella (butterfly), Julia Listwak (butterfly, 500 freestyle), Meghan Keppler (diving) and Maddie Montalbano (diving)Outlook: “Last year, we took the most girls to WPIALs since (former coach) Tom Donati was here,” said Blackwell. “We have more depth and should be even stronger this year.”BoysReturning district meet performers: seniors Connor Quiggle (butterfly, 500 freestyle), Jake Lee (50 freestyle, 100 freestyle) and Christian Sawyer (breaststroke, 200 IM); juniors Max Bredl (backstroke, 200 IM) and Jonathan Simoes (backstroke, 200 IM); sophomores Owen Blazer (butterfly, backstroke) and Max Skeen (backstroke)Outlook: “We're looking to get our WPIAL qualifiers back there and hopefully, get at least Connor and Owen back to states,” Blackwell said.Slippery RockCoach: Brian Belowich, 2nd yearGirlsReturning district meet performers: seniors Barbie Cessar (breaststroke, 200 IM) and Tayler Shaner (200 freestyle, backstroke); junior Charlee Caldwell (breaststroke); sophomores Kaitlin Novak (500 freestyle, 200 IM) and Calla Martin (relays)Outlook: “Barbie and Tayler are the heart of the team,” Belowich said. “It shows the younger girls what four years of hard work will do.”BoysReturning district meet performers: juniors Trent Donaldson (butterfly, 200 freestyle) and Heston Suorsa (backstroke, 50 freestyle); sophomore Riley Lewis (relays)Outlook: “We're building a reputation with how hard we work and are promoting the sport to the younger boys,” Belowich said.Note: Grove City coach Karen Wendelschaefer could not be reached for comment.
