Comeback kid

By Derek Pyda Eagle Staff Writer

February 06, 2015 Last Updated: February 06, 2015 01:52 PM High School

Butler's Taylor Frankenstein swims the 100-yard backstroke against Hampton Thursday night. The senior is back in the water after suffering a torn rotator cuff and helped the Golden Tornado to victory.

BUTLER TWP — Taylor Frankenstein thought his high school swimming career was over.

That's why Senior Recognition Night at Butler's pool held a weighted importance for him.

In just his second meet back following a shoulder injury, Frankenstein swam two individual events — placing first in the 100-yard backstroke and runner-up in the 50 freestyle — helping Butler defeat Hampton 99-84 on Wednesday.

His time in the backstroke event of one minute, 1.04 seconds fell just a half second short from qualifying him for the WPIAL Class AAA championship meet later this month.

“I was hoping to make it tonight,” said Frankenstein, “but I still have next week's meet against Seneca Valley.”

Considering where he was just a few months ago, Frankenstein is just glad to be back in the pool.

He learned in October that he had a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

“It came from swimming and lifting,” he said. “I thought I was done. I still came to meets to cheer for my teammates. It was tough, but I didn't mind it.”

Frankenstein qualified for the WPIAL meet in the backstroke and 200 freestyle relay as a sophomore. His absence earlier this season was definitely felt by the Golden Tornado.

“It was a tremendous loss,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “Not only did we miss him in the pool, but his leadership on the deck. When you aren't competing, sometimes you don't feel you have the same importance in supporting your teammates.”

A month ago, Frankenstein had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder and that's when he was told he could swim again this season. He was cleared to start competing two weeks ago and swam in a meet against Moon in late January.

“I got off to a horrible start in the (backstroke) that night and still swam a 1:04,” he said. “My goal is to get to WPIALs and I think I can get there.”

Frankenstein is still rehabbing the shoulder three times every week. When he rotates his shoulder, one can hear a popping sound.

“That's because there's still some instability there,” he said. “I'm doing a lot of strengthening exercises. I need to strengthen the muscles in my back. I still feel a little bit of pain during physical therapy, but not when I swim. I feel I'm getting stronger in the water.”

Frankenstein, who plans on swimming in college at Chatham University, has his sights set on swimming in the district championship meet at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool. But in one respect, his comeback is already a successful one. He now has seven practices and two meets under his belt this season.

“I had swam for eight years with no injuries,” he said. “It was devastating when I found out about my shoulder. It meant a lot for me to swim on Senior Night.”

Girls

Hampton 108, Butler 78

200 medley relay: 1-Hampton 1:59.04

200 freestyle: 1-Claire Williams (H) 2:13.04

200 individual medley: 1-Clare Flanagan (H) 2:19.56

50 freestyle: 1-Kristen McKnight (H) 25.31

1-meter diving: 1-Adrienne White (H) 290.05

100 butterfly: 1-Emma Weiss (B) 1:03.11

100 freestyle: 1-Jillian McElhaney (B) 1:00.03

500 freestyle: 1-Julia Wolf (H) 6:00.13

200 freestyle relay: 1-Hampton 1:47.35

100 backstroke: 1-Kaelyn Emanuel (B) 1:07.11