Sweet start

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

January 04, 2008 Last Updated: January 04, 2008 02:22 PM High School

Butler's Brittany Vogel is fast off the blocks in the 200 individual medley during Thursday's meet with North Hills. Vogel won the event in 2 minutes, 17.57 seconds to help the Golden Tornado top the Indians 95-91.

Tornado girls' early jump gives them edge on NH

BUTLER TWP — Last year's Butler girls swimming team certainly had the star power.

This season, the Tornado has the power — at least in the number of swimmers.

Butler evened its record at 2-2 after a 95-91 victory over north Hills on Thursday, while the boys fell to 0-4 with a 91-69 loss.

"We lost to North Hills last year, and that was with the group we had last year (which included Molly Evans, Sarah Clouse and Ellen Crummy)," said Butler coach Jeff Armstrong.

"I stressed the relays will play an important part this year and it did. ... We don't have the stars, but we have a lot of good swimmers. It should be a good future."Armstrong added.

The foursome of Jordan McElhaney, Brittany Vogel, Brianna Keelan and Morgan Morrison got the team off on the right foot by winning the 200 medley relay with a time of 2 minutes, 1.74 seconds.

They also captured the 200 freestyle relay event in 1:46.90 to give the team a little breathing room late in the meet.

"Fortunately, we have Brittany Vogel this year to help the younger swimmers,"Armstrong said.

Vogel also won the 200 individual medley (2:17.57) and the 100 backstroke (1:06.20) while Keelan won the 200 freestyle (2:04.61) and the 100 butterfly (1:04.93).

Renee Clouse was the team's other individual winner, capturing the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:15.56.

"What it came down to was the 200 freestyle relay, which they were ranked faster than we were,"said Armstrong. "That was it. We knew we had the (100) backstroke and the (100) breaststroke.

"We needed to have enough points going into the 400 free relay,"Armstrong added.

But the quick start helped set the tone for the finish.

"It was good we started out and won the 200 medley relay," said Armstrong. "It got us off to a good start. The key was winning that."

On the boys side, diver Heath Calhoun won the event with an impressive total of 276.8 points.

"Heath was definitely a bright spot," said Armstrong. "He'll be there at the end."

Erik Bergh won the 500 freestyle (5:19.08), Hans Bergh took the 100 breaststroke (1:14.16) and Alex Bauer won the 100 backstroke (1:05.78) to key the Tornado boys' effort.

With a bevy of young swimmers on both sides — 24 freshmen and sophomores combined — Armstrong has seen the team begin to take shape.

"We'll be competitive, absolutely," said Armstrong. "It's always been my philosophy to develop the swimmers. As you develop the swimmers, the team gets better."

GirlsButler 95, North Hills 91200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Jordan McElhaney, Brittany Vogel, Brianna Keelan, Morgan Morrison) 2:01.74

200 freestyle: 1-Brianna Keelan (B) 2:04.61

200 individual medley: 1-Brittany Vogel (B) 2:17.57; 2-R. Clouse (B)

50 freestyle: 1-Kati Custer (NH) 26.25; 2-McElhaney (B)

1-meter diving: 2-Grenet (B) 177.9

100 butterfly: 1-Brianna Keelan (B) 1:04.93; 3-Campbell (B)

100 freestyle: 1-Kati Custer (NH) 57.14; 2-Morrison (B); 3-Kriley (B)

500 freestyle: 1-Rachael Burnett (NH) 5:40.00; 2-McElhaney (B)

200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Jordan McElhaney, Morgan Morrison, Brianna Keelan, Brittany Vogel) 1:46.90

100 backstroke: 1-Brittany Vogel (B) 1:06.20; 2-Morrison (B)

100 breaststroke: 1-Renee Clouse (B) 1:15.56; 2-Campbell

400 freestyle relay: 1-North Hills (Megan Hebda, Sarah Zaplatel, Jessica Schneider, Rachael Burnett) 4:07.21