Over the last year, Freeport's Ariana Clark made an increased investment into her swimming career — and is reaping the benefits.

The junior is seeded third in the 100-yard backstroke and eighth in the butterfly entering the WPIAL Class AA Championships, set for Thursday and Friday at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool.

Last year, she placed 12th in the backstroke and ninth in the butterfly at districts.

“I really started to focus on swimming after last season,” Clark said. “Up until that point, I wasn't practicing too well, but my coaches and teammates have been behind me and that has motivated me.”

Clark is in her third year swimming for Fox Chapel's club team and said that experience, “has greatly improved my technique.”

With the improvement comes higher standards.

“I'm hoping to medal and make states in both events,” said Clark.

“Ariana's time really came down in the back,” said Freeport coach Nikki Heasley. “I always knew she had it in her, it was just a mental thing.”

Between relays and individual events, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's girls have eight entries seeded in a medal position (top eight), which prompted coach T.J. Barry to say the Trojanettes are “a dark horse to win the team title.”

CWNC is led by Brooke and Brittney Carmazzi. The former is seeded second in both the 200 IM and 500 freestyle. Brittney is ranked first in the butterfly and fifth in the 200 freestyle.

Boys

Knoch senior Matt Karenbauer has high hopes in two individual events, the 200 IM and butterfly where he is ranked second and third, respectively.

He broke Knoch's school record in the butterfly this season, swimming the event in 52.7.

“He has a very quiet demeanor, but is still a leader by his actions,” said Knoch coach Corrie Jones, who said the goal is to have Karenbauer go 52 or better in the fly and 1:58 or better in the IM.

“He deserves to do well because of all the work he's put in,” Jones said.

This time last year, Mars' Andrew Pierre was eyeing the school record in the 500-yard freestyle, held then by his older brother, Tommy.

The latter tied the standard at WPIALs, then broke it at the state meet with a finish of 4:42.93.

Pierre, a junior, is seeded third in the 500 and second in the 200 freestyle.

“He's looking to break his own record in the 500,” said Mars coach Todd Slobodnyak. “That's his best event. The longer the distance, the better for him.”

Following are Butler County’s Class AA swimmers who have qualified for the WPIAL Championships, scheduled Thursday and Friday at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.GirlsKnoch, Freeport, C.W. North Catholic200 medley relay: 7-CWNC 1:56.96, 12-Knoch 2:02.01200 freestyle: 5-Brittney Carmazzi (CWNC) 2:02.25, 10-Grace Phillips (K) 2:05.45, 12-Ainsley Bissett (CWNC) 2:06.16200 individual medley: 2-Brooke Carmazzi (CWNC) 2:13.21, 5-Lindsey Fanton (K) 2:19.25, 7-Julia Kocsis (CWNC) 2:19.29, 9-Maya Wirtz (K) 2:20.63, 12-Emma Kunzmann (CWNC) 2:22.2250 freestyle: 17-Brooke Welling (F) 26.56100 butterfly: 1-Brittney Carmazzi (CWNC) 59.05, 2-Meredith Cummings* (Shady Side Academy) 59.82, 8-Ariana Clark (F) 1:01.86, 11-Lindsey Fanton (K) 1:02.51, 12-Julia Kocsis (CWNC) 1:02.79, 20-Madison Moretti (F) 1:05.47100 freestyle: 7-Meredith Cummings* (Shady Side Academy) 55.71, 19-Brooke Welling (F) 58.19, 21-Madison Moretti (F) 58.33500 freestyle: 2-Brooke Carmazzi (CWNC) 5:20.77, 7-Ainsley Bissett (CWNC) 5:35.72, 8-Abby Bielstein (K) 5:38.0, 12-Grace Phillips (K) 5:42.5200 freestyle relay: 9-CWNC 1:46.76100 backstroke: 3-Ariana Clark (F) 1:02.63, 12-Emma Kunzmann (CWNC) 1:04.57100 breaststroke: 12-Maya Wirtz (K) 1:14.53400 freestyle relay: 7-CWNC 3:51.73, 11-Knoch 4:04.48, 16-Freeport 4:09.36BoysKnoch, Mars, Freeport, C.W. North Catholic200 medley relay: 11-Mars 1:48.29, 18-CWNC 1:51.69200 freestyle: 2-Andrew Pierre (M) 1:49.44, 17-Aidan Wolf (M) 1:57.52, 22-Zach Leachman (M) 1:58.4200 individual medley: 2-Matt Karenbauer (K) 2:03.06, 5-Andrew Ivory (M) 2:06.0, 11-Zach Wilson (K) 2:08.75, 13-Braden Zukowski (K) 2:09.58, 17-Carver Clark (F) 2:11.78, 18-Austin Gilstrap (M) 2:11.95, 21-Michael Phillips (K) 2:14.5550 freestyle: 25-Kyle Maziarz (CWNC) 24.03100 butterfly: 3-Matt Karenbauer (K) 52.7, 14-Sam Schirra* (Aquinas Academy) 58.97, 16-Gregg Miller (F) 59.31, 31-Tony Ravasio (CWNC) 1:02.21500 freestyle: 3-Andrew Pierre (M) 5:00.1, 13-Austin Gilstrap (M) 5:15.3, 22-Zach Leachman (M) 5:24.26, 25-Michael Phillips (K) 5:26.65200 freestyle relay: 5-Knoch 1:36.03, 19-CWNC 1:40.07100 backstroke: 17-Sam Schirra* (Aquinas Academy) 1:00.86, 25-Aidan Wolf (M) 1:03.26100 breaststroke: 7-Sevryn Napora* (Shady Side Academy) 1:04.22, 8-Andrew Ivory (M) 1:04.42, 10-Braden Zukowski (K) 1:04.66, 21-Zach Wilson (K) 1:07.91400 freestyle relay: 14-Mars 3:37.51*Butler County resident