LEWISBURG — Butler sophomore Laura Goettler posted her first career top-three finish in the PIAA Class AAA Swimming Championships Wednesday night at Bucknell University.

Goettler swam the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 2.49 seconds to place third in the event. Olivia Paoletti of Avon Grove won the event in 1:59.72 while Claudia Thamm of North Penn took second in 2:02.32.

“I believe the girl who won is the defending state champ,” Butler coach Dave Bocci said. “She's a senior, too. Laura's made tremendous strides out here as a sophomore.

“I'm very pleased with her performance. Her strongest event is tomorrow.”

Goettler will compete in the 100-yard breast stroke Thursday night. She entered the state meet with the top qualifying time in both events.

“I wasn't thinking about my previous times at all,” Goettler said. “My mind was on performing the best I could.

“When you're in the water, I can only see the swimmers in the lanes next to me. You don't really know where you are (relative to other swimmers), so I just swim as hard as I can.”

Goettler finished ninth in the 200 IM at last year's state meet. Her personal best time in the event is 2:01.7, which she swam in the WPIAL meet as a freshman.

“I didn't hit my best time, but I thought I did pretty well,” Goettler said. “It definitely helped me (swimming at states last year). I remember being pretty nervous then.

“This year, I knew what to expect. I have a lot more confidence. We'll see what happens tomorrow night.”

Butler's Alex Deemer finished 15th in the 200-yard freestyle with a 1:43.51. He will compete in the 500 free Thursday.

“Alex got to a second swim Wednesday and that's always helpful going into the next day,” Bocci said.

Seneca Valley's Owen Blazer finished 11th in the 100-yard butterfly, swimming the event in 50.79 seconds. He teamed with Christian Sawyer, Connor Quiggle and Jake Lee on the Raiders' 200 medley relay team that finished 16th in 1:38.89.

The AAA portion of the state meet concludes Thursday. The PIAA Class AA meet runs Friday and Saturday at Bucknell.