Captain in the water

By Sam Tallarico Eagle Staff Writer

December 23, 2010 Last Updated: December 23, 2010 01:19 PM High School

Butler diver Levi Cetti performs a dive for judges during a swim meet against Knoch at Butler High School.

BUTLER TWP — When Butler coach Ken Bedford anointed Brianna Keelan as captain of the swim team, he knew it was a great choice.

As the season goes on, he knows it was the right choice.

Keelan won the 200 IM and 100 freestyle and took part in the winning 200 medley relay as the Tornado girls improved to 3-0 with a 99-82 triumph over Knoch Wednesday.

In the boys meet, Butler (2-1) came away with a 96-87 victory.

“That was one of the best decisions, to put Brianna Keelan at captain,” Bedford sad. “She's doing fantastic. You couldn't ask for a better kid to lead this team.”

Keelan, who already qualified for the WPIAL meet in the 200 IM, also qualified for the 100 free by dropping her seed time from 59.32 to 56.89.

Jordan McElhaney won the 500 free and was a member of the winning 200 medley and 200 free relays while Abagail Merhaut won the 200 free and Emily Bruce the 100 backstroke and both rounded out the winning 200 medley relay.

The Knoch girls (1-1) battled all evening, led by Nikki Krause's wins in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke and Kristy Daubner captured the 50 free.

“We're going against a Class AA school and a chance to dive and gain experience,” said Knoch coach Rick Hassler. “We're swimming a difficult schedule. We scrimmaged Butler and we swam against them again. We have Kiski Area, Seneca Valley and our section is competitive, too.

“The better competition you swim, the better your kids will be.” Hassler added.

In the boys meet, Knoch (1-1) won seven of the first 11 events, including wins by Nathan Walls in the 200 IM and 100 fly and Josh Tackett in the 100 free and 100 back as well as in the 200 free relay, but the Tornado's depth played a key role.

“I'm so pleased with the boys team,” said Bedford. “Last week against Mars, they looked beat up. They regrouped and looked good (Wednesday). They looked refreshed.”

Butler won the opening 200 medley relay and received wins by Noah Neigh in the 50 free, Levi Cetti in 1-meter diving and Ryan Deemer in the 500 free.

“I'm real pleased with the way everything is going,” said Bedford. “For the girls team, I expected it, but the boys team is impressing me ... We have the depth. We might not get first place, but we're getting the second, third and fourth places.”

Notes: The Knoch girls 200 medley relay and 200 free relays qualified for the WPIAL meet as did the boys 200 free relay. Walls met the WPIAL qualifying standard in the 200 IM and Tackett in the 100 free. According to Hassler, the teams were close in five other events ... Knoch will return to action Jan. 2 against St. Joseph and Springdale at Butler High School while Butler will host Fox Chapel Jan. 5.

GirlsButler 99, Knoch 82200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Emily Bruce, Jordan McElhaney, Brianna Keelan, Abagail Merhaut) 2:00.28

200 freestyle: 1-Abagail Merhaut (B) 2:11.04

200 individual medley: 1-Brianna Keelan (B) 2:20.90

50 freestyle: 1-Kristy Daubner (K) 26.86

100 butterfly: 1-Nikki Krause (K) 1:08.98

1-meter diving: 1—Meredith Harbison (B) 217.80

100 freestyle: 1-Brianna Keelan (B) 56.89

500 freestyle: 1-Jordan McElhaney (B) 5;42.45

200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Jordan McElhaney, Macie Pennington, Morgan Morrison, Taylor Campbell) 1:50.50

100 backstroke: 1-Emily Bruce (B) 1:06.37

100 breaststroke: 1-Nikki Krause (K) 1:17.30

*400 freestyle relay: 1-Knoch (Elise Goldman, Miranda McCune, Katie Jones, Jolene Kunkel) 4:25.58