Tornado tidal wave

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

January 12, 2007 Last Updated: January 15, 2007 09:14 AM High School

Sarah Clouse of Butler won the 100 butterfly in 1 minute, 2 seconds during Thursday's meet with Shaler. The Golden Tornado girls beat the Titans 93-83.

BUTLER TWP — There's something to be said for experience, especially for the Butler girls swimming team.

Molly Evans, Sarah Clouse, Ellen Crummy and Brittany Vogel opened Thursday's meet against Shaler with a win in the 200 medley relay, then they proceeded to win seven individual events combined as the Tornado downed the Titans 93-83.

In the boys meet, the Tornado won just two individual events and one relay, but lost by only a 99-79 score.

Both Tornado teams now own a 2-3 record.

"All of our meets are going to be close, win or lose" said Butler coachJeff Armstrong. "Except for our senior girls, we're a young team. We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores.

"Against North Hills last week, we won every event, but it's the fourth and fifth places where you can get beat,"he added.

During Thursday's meet with Shaler, the foursome won the 200 medley relay with a time of 1 minute, 56.39 seconds.

Evans also captured the 200 freestyle (1:57.98) and the 500 freestyle (5:15.21) while Clouse won the 100 butterfly (1:02.3) and the 100 breaststroke (1:09.41) and Crummy won the 200 individual medley (2:20.86).

Vogel, the lone junior of the bunch, won the 100 freestyle (56.56) and the 100 backstroke (1:03.57).

"Ellen Crummy made the WPIAL cut in the IM and had a great backstroke time, her best this year," said Armstrong.

"Molly had some great times and the medley relay had its best time (making the WPIAL cut). Sarah Clouse had an outstanding 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Those were her best times of the year," Armstrong added.

Stephanie Kello was the Tornado girls other individual winner, leading the way in diving with 133.0 points to help Butler sweep the event.

On the boys side, John Rhodaberger won the diving competition, finishing with a score of 214.60.

"The divers pitch in and swim in events and get points," said Armstrong. "They're a real important part of the men's team. They help out on the relays."

Hans Bergh won the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:19.64 and was a member of the winning 200 freestyle relay (1;42.04) with Michael Coulter, Patrick Kaiser and Jason Clouse.

Clouse and Coulter also had a pair of second-place finishes in the meet.

"Jason Clouse broke two minutes for the first time (in the 200 freestyle, 1:58.51). He's making great progress in trying to make it to the WPIAL," said Armstrong."

Armstrong knows that progress is the key word during the season and will use the numbers to keep it going.

"I put on the board a set of times last year at this time and the times from this year to show where they are at this point," said Armstrong.

"Sarah Clouse, Molly Evans, Ellen Crummy, Brittany Vogel, they're at a point where cutting their times is getting harder, but if they keep it close, they know they're still doing well."

GirlsButler 93, Shaler 83200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Molly Evans, Sarah Clouse, Ellen Crummy, Brittany Vogel) 1:56.39; 3-Butler

200 freestyle: 1-Molly Evans (B) 1:57.98

200 individual medley: 1-Ellen Crummy (B) 2:20.86

50 freestyle: 1-1-Winnie Kuna (S) 27.73; 3-R. Clouse (B)

1-meter diving: 1-Stephanie Kello (B) 133.0; 2-Grenet (B); 3-Skiles (B)

100 butterfly: 1-Sarah Clouse (B) 1:02.3; 3-Morando (B)

100 freestyle: 1-Brittany Vogel (B) 56.56

500 freestyle: 1-Molly Evans (B) 5:15.21

200 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler (Susan Lindbloom, Heather Wakeley, Sarah Mathias, Jaclyn Obman) 1:52.32; 3-Butler

100 backstroke: 1-Brittany Vogel (B) 1:03.57; 2-Crummy (B)

100 breaststroke: 1-Sarah Clouse (B) 1:09.41; 3-Pullekines (B)

400 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler (Carrie Wakeley, Allison Beyerl, Julie Laux, Heather Wakeley) 4:07.31; 2-Butler; 3-Butler