Gold yet again
PITTSBURGH — At last year's WPIAL Swimming Championships, Butler's Laura Goettler had to settle for second place in the 100-yard breaststroke.
She had a shot at redemption Friday and made the most of it.
Goettler, a sophomore, took first place in the Class AAA event with a time of one minute, 2.89 seconds at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool. Moon's Leah Baker came in second at 1:03.44.
It was Goettler's second title in as many days. She won the 200 individual medley here Thursday.
“Placing second last year was definitely on my mind today,” Goettler said. “I've felt more confident in the breaststroke this season than in the IM.
“The breaststroke is one of the most technically difficult strokes there is in my opinion,” she added, “so it's a love-hate relationship.”
But one Goettler is used to. She picked up the stroke when she was 9-years old and took to it quickly.
“She has a superior stroke between the flags (in between turns),” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “And she has a good feel for the water. That's what separates her from other swimmers.”
Bocci is impressed with the way Goettler handled her two individual events at Pitt.
“When there's a lot of expectations on you, there's a lot of people watching and a lot of pressure,” he said. “It's very gratifying to see her win twice. I'm excited for her and proud of her.”
Class AA
It was fitting that Meredith Cummings swam the final leg of Shady Side Acadmey's 400 freestyle relay.
The senior and Oakland Township native has been a key contributor for the Indians all four seasons of her varsity career.
With SSA leading the team standings entering the relay — the meet's final event — Cummings reached the wall first and sealed the Indians' fourth straight district team championship.
“Our team is all about looking at the big picture,” she said. “If we come here and don't win, it's like we didn't do our jobs.”
“Meredith has meant a ton to our program,” said SSA coach John Landreth. “For her to anchor that relay, it was incredible. It meant a lot to me and I know it meant a lot to her.”
Earlier in the day, Cummings tied for second place with teammate Lindsey Grune in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.02. Both will head to the state meet later this month.
“Lindsey is my best friend,” Cummings said. “So there's competition, but it's a friendly competition. She pushes me and makes me work harder.
“My main goal today was to improve my time and I did that. My previous best was 53.22.”
Also earning an automatic berth to the state meet was Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic senior Brooke Carmazzi, who placed third in the 500 freestyle.
