Some teams attract plenty of swimmers this season

By SAM TALLARICO and DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writers

December 15, 2009 Last Updated: December 15, 2009 02:37 PM High School

It's all about the numbers.

At least it can make a big difference during the course of the swimming season.

Teams like Butler and Knoch have had an amazing turnout that will help their programs continue to thrive.

"We've very excited," said Tornado coach Dacia Como. "We have 58 kids. It's a nice-sized team. I know we lost a lot of key swimmers, but we have a lot of freshmen that have come through the YMCA program.

"They've already put out (WPIAL) qualifying times. I'm looking forward to a good year," Como added.

"We have 36 kids (including 24 girls), and that's the biggest team Knoch has ever had," said Knoch coach Rick Hassler, We're just trying to build the program."

Grove City, which saw its boys team go 16-0 and win the District 10 title, will look to defend while the girls team went 14-2 and seek a title of its own.

The following are previews for Butler County area teams:

Coach: Dacia Como, second season2008-09 record: Girls (2-9); Boys (3-8)Key returners: Girls — Senior Renee Clouse (butterfly, utility); juniors Brianna Keelan (backstroke, butterfly), Jordan McElhaney (200 IM, 50 free, 100 back) and Megan Morrison (100 breaststroke, 200 IM)Boys — Seniors Alex Bauer (backstroke, 50 free) and Heath Calhoun (diving, third at PIAA meet); sophomores Matt Goettler (breaststroke, backstroke, 200 IM) and Travis Myers (backstroke)Como says: "Last year was more of a building year. I wanted to get the program back to where it was when I swam in the 1980s. Our 58 swimmers are split evenly between boys and girls, which is very good.

Coach: Margie Erickson, second season2008-09 record: N/AKey returners: Girls — senior Keil Erickson (butterfly, IM); juniors Jamie Boyle (backstroke) and Maddie Petras (50 free, 100 free); sophomore Courtney CarionBoys — junior Ryan Sweeny (100 free, 200 free)Erickson says: "We have a number of kids coming up from the junior high next year, but we're just in a lull right now."

Coach: Rick Hassler, second season2008-09 record: Girls (9-4); Boys (4-9)Key returners: Girls — Seniors Jill Vogus (medley relays, butterfly) and Jessica Gross (relays, 100 breast); juniors Kristy Daubner (relays, freestyle) and Nikki Krause (backstroke, 200 IM, relays)Boys — Seniors Cole Blaugher (medley relay, 200 IM, butterfly) and Aaron Goldman (medley relay, butterfly, breaststroke); juniors Van McCarren (medley relay, distance) and Josh Tackett (100 free, 100 back); Jacob Shoemaker (butterfly, freestyle)Hassler says: "We have a good mix of veterans, some first-time kids that have never swam before and some young kids. Hopefully, there's enough leadership to guide them and see what we've got."

Coach: Heidi Brandon, third season2008-09 record: The Planets girls lost only one section meet and finished in second place behind Shady Side Academy.The boys didn't field a full team.Key returners: Girls — senior Gabri Pierre (200 free, 500 free); junior Corinna Luschini (breaststroke, freestyle); sophomore Salina Smialek (backstroke, IM)Boys — sophomore Jack (backstroke)Brandon says: "We lost some good swimmers to graduation on the girls side, but we could surprise some people this year. We've got good talent and the girls have been working hard.""I'm hoping Jack can get back to WPIALs this season and maybe we'll get a couple of more boys through as well."

Coach: Jerry Koller, first season2008-09 record: Girls (9-4-1); Boys (7-7)Key returners: Girls — Seniors Julie Titley (freestyle), Leah Patinski (IM, butterfly) and Angela Panza (butterfly, breaststroke); juniors Makena Lynch (freestyle) and Stephanie Ciraula (IM, freestyle)Boys — Senior Tyler Piedimonte (middle distance, 200 free, 500 free); juniors Justin Pritchard (breaststroke, freestyle) and Tony Geyer (100 freestyle, 100 back).Koller says: ""We have 11 swimmers (boys) and a couple of divers and they're a dedicated bunch."The girls team has some really lofty goals. We have some good returning veterans. We have about 18 or 19 swimmers and three or four divers."

Coach: Cindy Johnston, first season2008-09 record: N/AKey returners: Girls — Senior Katelyn Brozenic (breaststroke); juniors Cory Kirk (freestyle, backstroke), Emma Knox (freestyle) and Chloe Pizor (distance freestyle, breaststroke); sophomore Kelsey Reott (freestyle)Boys — Senior Caleb Sykora-Bodie; sophomore James Udischas (200 IM, breaststroke)Johnston says: "We have a lot of younger kids on the boys team. Caleb's my only senior. We have mostly freshmen and sophomores, but a lot of the kids have swam for the local team, the Slippery Rock Eels."I have 12 girls and as long as they stay healthy, I think they'll do good. We have the flu going through, though. There is more experience there than on the boys side."

Coach: Karen Wendelschaefer2008-09 record: Girls (14-2); Boys (16-0)Key returners: Girls — Senior Janele Baglia (sprints, butterfly); junior Rachel McFeely (sprints); sophomore Erica Olson (IM, backstroke)Boys — Senior Chris Gregg (backstroke); juniors Patrick Shaw (100 fly, 200 IM); Ben Yute (sprints) and Kevin ArchibaldWendelschaefer says: "We're looking again to repeat as (boys) District 10 champs. We have a great group of freshmen coming in."The girls, we lost our core group of swimmers to graduation but we pick up a strong group of freshmen.