SR swimmers qualify for state meet
Ann-Katherine Burns and Mollie Massella guaranteed themselves berths in the PIAA Swimming Championships by posting victories at the District 10 meet over the weekend at SPIRE Institute.
Burns won the 100-yard breaststroke while Massella claimed the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Grace Olshanski in the 50 and 100 freestyle, Natalie Double in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, and Burns in the 50 freestyle should also receive spots in the state competition. That will not be officially determined until Tuesday.
The Rockets’ 200 freestyle relay team of Season Grant, Burns, Double and Olshanski also stands a good chance of moving on, as does the 200 medley relay team of Double, Burns, Massella and Olshanski.
The 200 medley relay paced second at the District 10 meet. Olshanski was second in the 100 freestyle while Double was fourth. The 200 free relay was third. Double was third in the 100 backstroke.
Cathedral Prep won the girls meet with 374 points. Slippery Rock was fourth with 247.
Butler’s boys qualified for the semifinal round of the Western PA Regional Team Championships Saturday, but dropped a 2-1 decision to eventual champion Hempfield. The Spartans defeated Franklin Regional, 2-1, in the championship round.
The Golden Tornado were ranked second after the sixth baker game, trailing only Franklin Regional. Butler qualified for the boys team state championships March 18 in Erie.
Luke Keene led Butler with a 619 series, including games of 237 and 202. He was eighth individually. Eric DeVore was 11th with a 609, including a 230 game. Rocco Rice had a 215-551, Zach Kniess a 203-536.
Three Knoch girls competed in the Western Regional Sunday and all three had podium finishes.
Miranda Lajevic was third at 100 pounds and Braylee Ireland was third at 118 pounds. Both advance to the state tournament next weekend in Harrisburg. The Knights’ Amelia Crosby placed sixth at 170 pounds.
