Reott opts for Gannon
CHERRY TWP — Katelyn Reott knows swimming as an individual and as part of a team — and has excelled at both.
Now the Moniteau senior will see how she does at the collegiate level, recently signing a letter of intent to continue her academic and swim career at Gannon University in Erie.
She plans to major in biology and study pre-med.
“I looked at Edinboro, too, but I liked Gannon’s program for my major and the swim team is pretty good,” Reott said.
Since Moniteau has no swim team, Reott swam on her own throughout her high school career. She tagged along with a lot of Slippery Rock High School meets to register her times. She has experienced the team aspect as a long-time member of the Butler YMCA swim team, the Barracudas.
“I learned so much from them,” Reott said of the YMCA program. “(Butler Y coach) Corrie Jones has been my coach for a long time. She’s helped me with technique through the years.”
Reott won the 50-yard freestyle YMCA state title this year. She placed fifth at the PIAA Championships in that event with a time of 24.07 seconds.
She won the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the District 9 championships this season, setting a district and pool record in the latter event.
“She just has a will to win,” Douglas Reott said of his daughter. “She’s done everything she had to do to succeed in her sport. Katelyn has always loved to swim.”
Her mother, Debbie Reott, said Katelyn “was determined to compete in high school since ninth grade. To do what she’s done under the circumstances she’s dealt with ... We’re just really, really proud of her.”
Reott swims the 100 freestyle as well. She figures to compete in those short distance events at Gannon.
The Golden Knights’ women’s team had a 24-swimmer roster this year and placed fourth in the 11-team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Jacqueline Michalski — who coached at Eastern Illinois for five years — has been at Gannon for four seasons.
She’s coached six female swimmers to school records since her arrival to the Golden Knights.
“I’m looking forward to being part of their team, to train with the team and go through workouts at the collegiate level,” Reott said. “My goals are team goals. Win the PSAC and contribute toward that.”
Also a track and field runner at Moniteau, Reott ran a leg of the Warriors’ 4x100 relay that broke the school record with a time 52.8 seconds. She’s run the 100 meters in 13.2 seconds and the 200 in 28.2.
Now she will solely be a swimmer.
“I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was 9 or 10 years old,” Reott said. “It’s always been about cutting my times down. That’s not going to change.”
