Seneca, Freeport sending swimmers to states

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

March 11, 2004 Last Updated: March 10, 2005 08:10 AM High School

For Brendan McGregor, describing the atmosphere of the PIAA swimming championships is easy.

"It means more business, more than WPIALs," said the Freeport junior swimmer. "Yes, WPIALs is WPIALs, but states is at a whole different level."

McGregor should know. He swam the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle in Class AA action at last year's event, finishing seventh and 14th, respectively. He won district titles in both events in late February.

That's not a bad way to head into the state championships, which will be held Friday and Saturday at Penn State University's McCoy Natatorium.

"I'm definitely looking to improve on what I did at states last season," McGregor said. "It's definitely an adrenaline rush because you're meeting the best from all the districts.

"It's like, this is what the state has to offer. Now it's time to show what I have to offer," he added.

While McGregor is focusing on individual events, Seneca Valley is sending two girls relay teams bearing district gold around their necks.

The 200 medley relay team of Stacie Safritt, Mandie Huffman, Kylie Gamelier and Kelly Connolly is seeded second in Class AAA for the state meet. Safritt, Connolly and Gamelier join Kristen Bezier on the Raiders' 200 freestyle relay team that is seeded fourth after a WPIAL title.

"It's the most talented group of girls I will have taken to the state meet," said Seneca Valley swimming coach Tom Donati of the six female swimmers, who also include Kristen Bezier's younger sister, Lauren.

The Bezier sisters will team with Safritt and Connolly in the 400 freestyle relay, which earned a second-place finish at WPIALs.

Along with swimming in all three relays, Connolly, a freshman, will also compete in the 100 freestyle.

"She has been a big addition to the team this season," said Donati. "Just the way she competed in the relays at WPIALs, she really rose to the occasion."

"It feels good," said Connolly. "I worked very hard to be part of it all."

"Our goal is to swim faster than we did at WPIALs," said Donati. "If we can do that, we'll be swimming at night."

Donati is referring to the fact that only the top 12 swimmers will be brought back in the evening to swim for the championship in each event.

Of Donati's six girls, Kristen Bezier is the only senior.

"Kristen is someone who has led by example," said Donati. "She's had a lot of faith in me and in the program."

"It was just a matter of knowing that Coach had the team's best interests in mind with the decisions he made," said Bezier.

Seneca's only member from the boys team to make the PIAA standard was junior Drew Snyder, who finished fourth at districts in the 50 freestyle.

"I always thought that Drew would make it in the 100 (freestyle) before the 50, and it ends up being the other way around," said Donati. "It shows you what I know."

"The 100 had been my best event all year, but I just lost focus and didn't swim my best at WPIALs," Snyder said.

"My goal is to make the top 12 and come back at night," added Snyder. "That would be one more thing under my belt so that next year, I would have that experience going in."

Joining McGregor in the Class AA meet will be Freeport's Lauren Palko.

The sophomore had a strong showing at WPIALs, finishing third and fourth in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, respectively.

Following are the Seneca Valley and Freeport swimmers who will compete in the PIAA Championships Friday and Saturday. Included are their respective times at the WPIAL Championships.

Class AAA (Seneca Valley)

Girls

200 medley relay:

Stacie Safritt, Mandie Huffman, Kylie Gamelier, Kelly Connolly (1:48.63)

200 IM:

Kristen Bezier (2:12.48)

50 freestyle:

Safritt (:24.44)

100 butterfly:

Gamelier (:58.76)

100 freestyle:

Connolly (:53.76)