Raiders are 2nd best
JACKSON TWP — In his first season as the Seneca Valley swimming and diving coach, Jerry Koller has liked what he's seen from his team.
After its meet against Butler Thursday, he liked it even more.
With a 108-73 victory in the girls meet and 101-82 for the boys, both Raiders teams finished second in the section behind North Allegheny.
"I've been very pleased with our team," said Koller. "They've been focused. We wanted a positive attitude throughout the year and they've responded.
"It's a great accomplishment. we want to keep working forward," he added.
In the girls meet, Julia Titley led the way for the Raiders (8-2) with wins in the 50 (25.74 seconds) and 100 freestyles (56.36), and she anchored the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays (1:57.31 and 3:55.98).
Makena Lynch (200 free), Stephanie Ciraula (100 butterfly) and Becca George (500 free) also captured an event and took part on a winning relay team, while Emily Thomas won the 100 back (1:04.37) and Jenn Suder took the 1-meter diving (239.25).
Butler (4-5) won two events: Brianna Keelan the 200 individual medley (2:22.25) and Taylor Campbell the 100 breaststroke (1:15.50).
"Our times were a little off tonight," said Butler coach Dacia Como. "I don't know why. As a coach, you say, "What do I do when we have all these meets in a row?' It's tough to prepare.
"We'll make sure everyone is rested (for Saturday's Last Ditch Meet at North Allegheny)," she added.
Justin Pritchard played a big role for the Raiders (6-4) as he won the 50 free (23.25) and 100 breaststroke (1:05.01), as well as helping the 200 medley relay and anchoring the 400 free relay to victory.
Tyler Piedemonte, Ryan Cwik (100 fly) and Matt Myers (100 free) each won an individual event and helped with two relay triumphs apiece while Brandon Nicklas (500 free) and Nick Wargo (100 back) also earned wins.
Again, the Tornado had two wins, Matt Goettler in the 200 IM (2:09.13) and Heath Calhoun in diving. Calhoun's 327.83 points broke the Seneca Valley pool record of 318.8, which was set by Chris Rebholz in 1999.
"This is really huge, just being able to to break a record," said Calhoun. "I don't think that will happen at Butler."
"He's always looking at the record boards and tries to set the record," Como said. "It's hard to do with (former Olympian) David Pichler (356.25) and Nunzio Esposto."
Next up, the Tornado and Raiders have one final chance to qualify for the WPIALs at the aforementioned Last Ditch Meet before moving on to the WPIAL Diving Championships Feb. 27 and the WPIAL Swimming Championships March 4 and 5 at Pitt's Trees Pool.
Notes: Wargo and Thomas both qualified for the WPIAL meet in their respective 100 backstroke events.
<B>GirlsSeneca Valley 108, Butler 73200 medley relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Katie Miller, Becca George, Angela Panza, Julia Titley) 1:57.31<B>200 freestyle:</B> 1-Makena Lynch (SV) 2:01.85<B>200 individual medley:</B> 1-Brianna Keelan (B) 2:22.25<B>50 freestyle:</B> 1-Julia Titley (SV) 25.74<B>100 butterfly:</B> 1-Stephanie Ciraula (SV) 1:04.04<B>1-meter diving:</B> 1-Jenn Suder (SV) 239.25<B>100 freestyle:</B> 1-Julia Titley (SV) 56.36<B>500 freestyle:</B> 1-Becca George (SV) 5:42.08<B>200 free relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Stephanie Ciraula, Makena Lynch, Katie Miller, Sarah Ritchie) 1:49.22<B>100 backstroke:</B> 1-Emily Thomas (SV) 1:04.37<B>100 breaststroke:</B> 1-Taylor Campbell (B) 1:15.50<B>400 free relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Hannah Bredl, Angela Panza, Leah Patinski, Julia Titley) 3:55.98<B>BoysSeneca Valley 101, Butler 82</B><B>200 medley relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Anthony Geyer, Justin Pritchard, Ryan Cwik, Matt Myers) 1:46.60<B>200 freestyle:</B> 1-Tyler Piedemonte (SV) 1:56.10<B>200 individual medley:</B> 1-Matt Goettler (B) 2:09.13<B>50 freestyle:</B> 1-Justin Pritchard (SV) 23.25<B>100 butterfly:</B> Ryan Cwik (SV) 58.58<B>1-meter diving:</B> 1-Heath Calhoun (B) 327.83<B>100 freestyle:</B> 1-Matt Myers (SV) 52.60<B>500 freestyle:</B> 1-Brandon Nicklas (SV) 5:32.91<B>200 free relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Andrew McGlennan, Ryan Cwik, Matt Myers, Tyler Piedemonte) 1:39.13<B>100 backstroke:</B> 1-Nick Wargo (SV) 58.32<B>100 breaststroke:</B> 1-Justin Pritchard (SV) 1:05.01<B>400 free relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Tyler Piedemonte, Nick Wargo, Anthony Geyer, Justin Pritchard) 3:41.80
