Tornado girls learning, winning in pool
BUTLER TWP — A largely inexperienced Butler girls swimming and diving team is finding its way; and earning victories at the same time.
The squad's 117-44 win over Knoch Monday night improved its record to 4-1.
“We've had a lot of meets against (Class) Double-A competition the first half of the season and it's been good competition for us,” said Golden Tornado coach Dave Bocci. “We'll be getting into section meets (beginning with a date Thursday at North Hills) and we'll definitely be tested.
“Our goal is to make several WPIAL cuts, though we're not sure how many swimmers they will take in each event. It could be 16, 24 or 32 ... we should get some clarity on that soon.”
Butler graduated last year's unquestioned leader in Abbie Griffith, who placed third in the WPIAL in the butterfly and backstroke last March.
Current junior Ally Smith, who specializes in the 50 and 100 freestyles, swam at the district meet as a freshman in 2020.
“Just the fact that she has been to the WPIAL meet, I look at her as our leader,” said Bocci.
The 2020-21 campaign was a lost opportunity for Smith due to circumstances beyond her control. Fewer swimmers swam at WPIALs due to COVID.
“A lot of swimmers didn't get the chance we normally do,” said Smith, who helped Butler to victories in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays Monday. “We're definitely a close group this year and have some really good swimmers on the team.”
One of those is sophomore Emma Pflugh, who captured the 100 and 200 freestyles against Knoch.
Bocci said Annabelle Turner and sisters Abigail and Addison Vance have also had strong performances in the team's first five meets. Addison Vance won the 50 freestyle and backstroke Monday.
Knoch's lone win on the girls side was Giona Lavorini in the butterfly.“We have a lot of freshmen this year, but I'm proud of all the girls,” said Knoch coach Dominique Patrick, who has 10 members on the girls team. “They're all willing to swim any event.“Giona is definitely our best swimmer.”The boys meet, won by Butler 58-10, included just five events since Knoch has just one swimmer in Caden Traggiai. He won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:49.67.Butler (4-1) opened the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay. The quartet of Drew Griffith, Ben Grossman, Ben Borvendeg and Cooper McTighe finished with a time of 1:52.70.
GirlsButler 117, Knoch 44200 medley relay: Butler (Ally Smith, Abigail Vance, Annabelle Turner, Emma Pflugh) 2:07.93200 freestyle: Emma Pflugh (B) 2:12.55200 individual medley: Annabelle Turner (B) 2:32.7250 freestyle: Addison Vance (B) 28.301-meter diving: Dalayne Waterbec (B)100 butterfly: Giona Lavorini (K) 1:05.33100 freestyle: Emma Pflugh (B) 1:00.01500 freestyle: Abigail Vance (B) 5:57.39200 freestyle relay: Butler (Ally Smith, Addison Vance, Emma Pflugh, Abigail Vance) 1:52.98100 backstroke: Addison Vance (B) 1:08.50100 breaststroke: Celia Ray (B) 1:32.94400 freestyle relay: Butler (Meghan Reay, Madison Wheeler, Grace Lamberto, Celia Ray) 5:05.62BoysButler 58, Knoch 10200 medley relay: Butler (Drew Griffith, Ben Grossman, Ben Borvendeg, Cooper McTighe) 1:52.70200 freestyle: Caden Traggiai (K) 1:49.6750 freestyle: Luke Nelson (B) 26.80100 freestyle: Jackson Morgus (B) 57.12100 backstroke: Gideon Goettler (B) 57.91
