Is Bucknell University ready for invaders from Mars?

We'll soon find out.

Riding high after a strong performance at the WPIAL Class AA swimming championships, four of the Planets girls will be swimming at the PIAA title meet Friday and Saturday at Kinney Natatorium in Lewisburg.

Senior Chloe Pierre, juniors Courtney Shields and Rachel Szymkowiak and sophomore Gabri Pierre will swim a combined six events, including two relays.

"That whole group had personal bests in at least one event at WPIALs and I still think they can all drop time at states," said first-year Mars coach Heidi Brandon.

The Planets' 200 medley relay team, which placed third at WPIALs with a time of 1 minute, 52.05 seconds, is seeded fifth.

The event has Szymkowiak swimming the backstroke, Chloe Pierre the breaststroke, Shields the butterfly and Gabri Pierre the freestyle.

"I'm hoping they make it to finals (top eight)," said Brandon. "It's all going to come down to good turns and good finishes. A half second separates the top five teams."

The quartet is seeded 17th in the 400 freestyle relay.

Individually, Shields will swim the 100 butterfly (seed No. 8) and the 100 freestyle (20th) while Szymkowiak will compete in the 100 butterfly (ninth) and 100 breaststroke (22nd).

"The girls are so excited," said Brandon of the foursome. "They're so focused. Even though they have tons of homework, they're still giving everything they have in practice."

Freeport senior Andrea McQueen, fresh off a WPIAL title in the 100 breaststroke, is seeded fifth (1:07.39) in that event and ninth in the 100 freestyle.

"My best finish at states is sixth in the freestyle, so I'm hoping to improve on that and get in the top five," she said.

Freeport senior Gail Erickson is seeded 11th in the 100 backstroke and 17th in the 200 individual medley.

"Gail's really come on strong the last few years," said Freeport coach Gregg McQueen. "She's an excellent swimmer and has put in a lot of time at the (Allegheny Valley) YMCA."

Erickson has been swimming competitively since she was 5. She's been to the state meet before, but making it her senior year was very important to her.

"I'm glad to know that I'll be leaving strong," she said. "My younger sister, Keil, is a sophomore and I'll be passing it on to her."

In fact, Keil Erickson, will be swimming with her sister in the 200 medley relay, along with McQueen and junior Katy Screen.

Knoch's Rachel Tano was runner-up at WPIALs in both the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley.

She is seeded sixth and eighth, respectively, in those events at states.

"I'm just hoping she can keep her seed time, if not improve on it," said Knoch coach Stephanie Karwoski. "She's very determined."

Boys

Knoch's Matt Mahan began swimming as a sophomore as a favor to a friend.

And he's glad he did.

The senior is seeded 18th in the 100 breaststroke event after placing sixth at WPIALs with a career-best time of 1:02.63.

"A good friend of mine, Doug Vogus, said that the swim team needed a few more guys my sophomore year," related Mahan. "Doug and I also played soccer and ran track, so I started swimming.

"It was just something to do," Mahan added.

The first time he swam the 100 breaststroke at a dual meet, Mahan's time was about 1:40.

"I never thought he'd do this well," said Karwoski. "I'm so proud of him."

The Grove City boys 200 medley relay team placed third at the District 10 championships and is seeded 15th at states with a time of 1:42.7.

Seth Brooks will swim the 500 freestyle while Drew Archibald will compete in the 100 breaststroke .

A complete PIAA swimming championship schedule can be found at www.piaa.org

Following are the Mars, Freeport, Knoch and Grove City swimmers who will be competing at the PIAA Class AA Championships Friday and Saturday at Bucknell University.Each participant's name is preceded by his/her seed and followed by the seed time.Girls<B>200 medley relay: </B>5-Mars (Rachel Szymkowiak, Chloe Pierre, Courtney Shields, Gabri Pierre) 1:52.05; 22-Freeport (Gail Erickson, Andrea McQueen, Keil Erickson, Katy Screen) 1:56.0<B>200 individual medley: </B>8-Rachel Tano (K) 2:11.72; 17-Gail Erickson (F) 2:16.15<B>100 butterfly: </B>8-Courtney Shields (M) 59.62; 9-Rachel Szymkowiak (M) 59.68<B>100 freestyle: </B>9-Andrea McQueen (F) 53.5; 20-Courtney Shields (M) 54.6<B>100 backstroke: </B>11-Gail Erickson (F) 1:01.34<B>100 breaststroke: </B>5-Andrea McQueen (F) 1:07.39; 6-Rachel Tano (K) 1:07.58; 22-Rachel Szymkowiak (M) 1:09.92<B>400 freestyle relay: </B>17-Mars (Rachel Szymkowiak, Gabri Pierre, Chloe Pierre, Courtney Shields) 3:45.63Boys<B>200 medley relay:</B> 15-Grove City 1:42.7<B>500 freestyle: </B>25-Seth Brooks (GC) 5:02.28<B>100 breaststroke: </B>18-Matt Mahan (K) 1:02.63; 28-Drew Archibald (GC) 1:04.41