Being in the same section with North Allegheny's boys swimming and diving team may seem like a hindrance.

Butler and Seneca Valley treat it as an opportunity.

The Tigers have won 12 of the last 14 WPIAL Class 3A team championships, claiming last year's crown with a whopping 450 points. Butler placed third and Seneca Valley fourth.

“When you swim against fast swimmers, you get faster,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci, who doesn't consider just NA as elite competition.

“With NA and Seneca, both of those teams have high-quality athletes,” he said. “They are at or near the top of the district.”

All three programs are in Section 2-AAA and will swim against each other before the WPIAL championship meet.

“That helps set the stage for the WPIAL meet,” said SV coach Brian Blackwell. “You see what those teams have during the season and it adds to the anticipation.”

The Raiders return senior Owen Blazer, who placed seventh in the state last season in both the backstroke and butterfly, and a very strong group of underclassmen will dot the lineup.

Butler has star juniors David Bocci and Sam Deemer and sophomore Ben Borvendeg. All three qualified for the state meet last season.

Following are capsules for all seven swimming and diving programs in Butler County:

Butler

Coach: Dave Bocci, eighth year

Last year: Boys 6-4; Girls 5-5

Returning WPIAL Qualifiers

Boys: senior Michael Milton (relays); juniors David Bocci (200 IM*/500 freestyle*), Sam Deemer (butterfly*/backstroke*) and Tanner Vietmeier (relays); sophomore Ben Borvendeg (50 freestyle*/100 freestyle)

Outlook: “We have a pretty good blend of kids,” said Bocci. “We hope to match last year's success, if not improve on it.”

Girls: seniors Laura Goettler (200 IM*/breaststroke*) and Ellie Weiss (relays); junior Abbie Griffith (butterfly*/backstroke*); sophomore Savannah Holt (100 freestyle/breaststroke)

Outlook: “Laura is a three-time WPIAL champion in the IM and the defending state champ in the breaststroke,” said Bocci. “As a team, we are trying to finish in the top eight in the WPIAL.”

Freeport

Coach: Nikki Heasley, ninth year

Last year: Boys 3-10; Girls 6-6-1

Returning WPIAL Qualifiers

Boys: None

Outlook: “We have eight total boys,” said Heasley. “One of them is Garrett Ben, who can swim every stroke. That will help when figuring out what swimmers to stick in each event during meets.”

Girls: juniors Madison Moretti (100/200 freestyle) and Brooke Welling (50/100 freestyle); sophomore Alexis Schrecongost (200 IM*/breaststroke*)

Outlook: “Alexis made states in both of her events last year,” said Heasley. “I'd like to see her place in the top eight at WPIALs. She definitely has the ability and drive to do it.”

Knoch

Coach: Shane Frishkorn, first year

Last year: Both the boys and girls finished over .500

Returning WPIAL Qualifiers

Boys: senior Braden Zukowski (200 IM*/breaststroke*); juniors Zach Wilson (200 IM/backstroke*) and Lachlan King (100 freestyle); sophomores Caden Traggiai (100 freestyle) and Kevin Golden (diving)

Outlook: “I see a lot of potential with our newer swimmers,” Frishkorn said. “Personal accomplishments and qualifying for WPIALs will be a focus.”

Girls: seniors Aryanna Napora (diving), Madison Gumto (relays) and Amelia Walls (relays)

Outlook: “With our top seniors, I'm excited to see them perform,” Frishkorn said. “I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do.”

Mars

Coach: Todd Slobodnyak, 3rd year

Last year: Boys 3-12; Girls 4-11

Returning WPIAL Qualifiers

Boys: seniors Zach Leachman (200 freestyle/500 freestyle) and Hayden Silsby (butterfly); junior Aidan Wolf (200 freestyle*/500 freestyle*)

Outlook: “We have just six boys,” said Slobodnyak. “We will do our best to fill a lineup and diversify.”

Girls: senior Caroline Stamper (50 freestyle); juniors Megan Smith (200 IM*) and Abby Scott (breaststroke); sophomore Isabella Pellegrino (relays) and Sarah Hooper (relays)

Outlook: “We have four strong freshmen coming in and that will be good for depth,” said Slobodnyak. “We're looking deeper and stronger than ever.”

North Catholic

Coach: T.J. Barry, fifth year

Last year: Boys 3-10; Girls 11-4

Returning WPIAL Qualifiers

Boys: seniors Kyle Maziarz (50 freestyle/diving*), Tony Ravasio (butterfly) and Thomas Kunz (relays); junior Zach Baker (200 freestyle/500 freestyle); sophomore Julian LaPietra (50/100 freestyle)

Outlook: “We just swam against North Allegheny and made seven WPIAL cuts,” Barry said. “I have big hopes for this team. Kyle is the two-time defending state champion in diving.”

Girls: seniors Cate Lord (breaststroke), Emily Paul (butterfly) and Emma Kunzmann (200 IM/backstroke); juniors Ainsley Bissett (200 freestyle/500 freestyle*) and Brittney Carmazzi (butterfly*/backstroke*); sophomore Katie Ravasio (butterfly/500 freestyle)

Outlook: “We lost a couple of strong seniors from last year and Julia Kocsis, who would be a junior, is now studying in England,” said Barry.

Seneca Valley

Coach: Brian Blackwell, ninth year

Last year: Boys 12-2; Girls 13-1

Returning WPIAL Qualifiers

Boys: seniors Owen Blazer (backstroke*/butterfly*) and Max Skeen (50/100 freestyle); junior Matthew Laslavic (diving)

Outlook: “We have 23 boys, including five divers,” Blackwell said. “It's the largest team I've had here.”

Girls: seniors Emily Tekelenburg (freestyle), Taylor Schoeffel (500 freestyle*), Julia Listwak (freestyle), Maddie Montalbano (diving), Meghan Keppler (diving) and Kenzie Clark (diving*); junior Kendall Craig (200 IM*/100 freestyle)

Outlook: “We have 26 girls on the roster and are looking to finish fifth or better as a team at WPIALs,” said Blackwell.

Slippery Rock

Coach: Kirby Burns, second year (second stint)

Last year: The Rocket boys won two meets while the girls won three

Returning District 10 Qualifiers

Boys: None

Outlook: “We have only five boys and have had trouble getting kids to try swimming,” said Burns. “It's an uphill battle.”

Girls: juniors Alyssa Olshanski (200 IM/backstroke), Reagan Suorsa (butterfly/500 freestyle) and Alana Colvin (relays)

Outlook: “We've added some new girls and they are adapting and progressing well,” said Burns.