BUTLER TWP — The Butler girls swimming team was strong from the beginning in its meet against Penn Hills Monday.

The Tornado boys, on the other hand, stayed with the Indians throughout the meet, but fell short in the end.

The girls' team built a 59-34 lead through the first six events and went on to post a 98-82 win. The Tornado boys trailed 71-66 with three events left before falling 101-82.

The Butler girls team (1-1) won 11 of the 12 events, although they swam the final two events, the 100 breaststroke and 400 freestyle relay, as an exhibition, so Penn Hills received all 25 points awarded in those events to make it close.

"I was pleased with what they did (Monday night)," said Butler first-year coach Jeff Armstrong. "We had a couple of girls that didn't come back from last year so we could have done better.

"We had some freshmen and walk-ons that have helped," he added.

Molly Evans won the 50 free (26.1 seconds) and 500 freestyle (5:16.45) and Brittany Vogel the 200 I.M. (2:21.67) and 100 back (1:04.4). Both were members of the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay, which also turned in the best times of the evening.

Sarah Clouse won the 100 fly (1:05.1), the 100 breast (1:12.72) as well as a member of the winning 200m medley and 200 free relays.

"Molly in the 500 free, that was an exceptional time," said Armstrong. "Most of the girls had their season-best times. It was nice to see the 400 free relay (which also included Ellen Crummy and Jessica Vernon) under four minutes (3:56.9)."

Jessica Schnur (diving) and Beth Newell (100 free) were the Tornado's other individual winners.

"Most of the girls are not far off from their all-time bests," said Armstrong. "They're doing really well."

On the boys' side, Matt Galante won a pair of individual events to lead the Tornado.

Galante captured the 200 free (1:53.64) and the 100 free (50.52) as well as a member of the winning 200 free relay, along with freshmen Patrick O'Toole and Dustin Uhlman and sophomore Michael Coulter.

O'Toole won the 500 free (5:11.44) and Coulter the 50 free (25.09). Butler's other winner was diver John Rhodaberger.

"We gave everything we had at this point," said Armstrong. "They'll come around in the second half. We have some good freshmen, like Patrick O'Toole and Jason Clouse.

"Every meet, we use our divers in the 200 free relay. They'll do whatever they can to help the team."

That No. 2 unit is made up of Patrick Kaiser, Jake Pflugh, Garret English and Rhodaberger.

Despite the early 0-2 mark, the effort has been there.

"The boys have been in it every time," said Armstrong. "I can't complain about that."

Butler will return to action after the holiday break, when it will host Hampton Jan. 3.

Girls

Butler 98, Penn Hills 82

200 medley relay:

1-Butler (Brittany Vogel, Sarah Clouse, Molly Evans, Ellen Pullekines) 2:04.07; 3-Butler

200 freestyle:

1-R. Crasta (PH) 2:07.0; 2-Vernon (B); 3-Newell (B)

200 individual medley:

1-Brittany Vogel (B) 2:21.67; 2-Crummy (B)

50 freestyle:

1-Molly Evans (B) 26.1; 2-Pullekines (B)

1-meter diving:

1-Jessica Schnur (B) 237.3; 3-Kello (B)

100 butterfly:

1-Sarah Clouse (B) 1:05.1; 3-Kingsley (B)

100 freestyle:

1-Beth Newell (B) 1:01.18; 2-Pullekines (B)

500 freestyle:

1-Molly Evans (B) 5:16.45

200 freestyle relay:

1-Butler (Jessica Vernon, Beth Newell, Ellen Pullekines, Sarah Clouse) 1:52.30; 3-Butler

100 backstroke:

1-Brittany Vogel (B) 1:04.4; 2-Vernon (B)

*100 breaststroke:

1-Sarah Clouse (B) 1:12.72; 2-Crummy (B)

*400 freestyle relay:

1-Butler (Brittany Vogel, Ellen Crummy, Jessica Vernon, Molly Evans) 3:56.90

Boys

Penn Hills 101, Butler 82

200 medley relay:

Penn Hills (E. Hammill, K. Cohn, Boccardi, C. Larson) 1:47; 2-Butler

200 freestyle:

1-Matt Galante (B) 1:53.64

200 individual medley:

E. Hammill (PH) 2:05; 2-O'Toole (B); 3-E. Bergh (B)

50 freestyle:

1-Michael Coulter (B) 25.09

1-meter diving:

1-John Rhodaberger (B) 187.45

100 butterfly:

1-M. Boccardi (PH) 1:00; 2-Coulter (B)

100 freestyle:

1-Matt Galante (B) 50.52

500 freestyle:

1-Patrick O'Toole (B) 5:11.44

200 freestyle relay:

1-Butler (Patrick O'Toole, Dustin Uhlman, Michael Coulter, Matt Galante) 1:37.70

100 backstroke:

1-E. Hammill (PH) 56.77; 2-McKee (B); 3-J. Clouse (B)

100 breaststroke:

1-K.Cohn (PH) 1:09; 2-Reiser (B)

400 freestyle relay:

1-Penn Hills (M. Boccardi, C. Larson, Sapienza, E. Hammill) 3:33; 2-Butler

*Butler swam events as exhibition, but had best time overall