Butler swimmer Laura Goettler is seeded No. 1 in the girls 200-yard individual medley at this weekend's PIAA AAA Swimming Championships at Bucknell University.

Laura Goettler's time of one minute, 58.68 seconds in the 200-yard individual medley at the WPIAL Swimming Championships Feb. 28 is the best effort ever turned in by a Class AAA girl in the history of the district meet.

That performance has the Butler junior ranked first in the state entering the PIAA Championships, which will take place Friday and Saturday at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium in Lewisburg.

Fox Chapel freshman Zoe Skirboll is seeded second, 1.57 seconds behind Goettler, who will be tapered for the meet.

“I've gotten a break from lifting weights and the practice time in the pool has been less intense,” she said. “It's a period of rest and I feel strong and confident.”

“It's all about giving her the best chance to chase a state title,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “Laura has a competitive spirit, but she's pretty steady with her emotions. She knows the sport and the highs and lows that come with it.”

Goettler will also be in contention for a PIAA crown in the 100 breaststroke. She placed second in the event at WPIALs, .55 seconds behind Skirboll. The two swimmers are ranked first and second in the state.

In fact, five of the top six seeds at PIAAs in the breaststroke hail from the WPIAL.

“That doesn't surprise me,” said Goettler. “There are a lot of good swimmers in that event from our district.”

Boys

After being part of five school records at the WPIAL meet, it seems turning in a better performance would be a lot to ask of Seneca Valley's Owen Blazer.

But the junior believes he is primed to do just that at this week's state meet.

Individually, Blazer is seeded fourth in the backstroke with a time of 49.38 seconds and sixth in the butterfly (49.88). He placed second and third, respectively, in the events at districts.

“It's an anticipation, a hunger I have,” Blazer said of his upcoming third appearance at the PIAA event. “I had some pretty good swims at WPIALs, but I was only half-tapered. I'm fully tapered now and I think I have more time to drop. I'm really excited for it.

“I want to go 48 in the backstroke,” he added. “I don't think it would take too much to get down to 48 low. I'm working on hitting my turns better.”

Blazer will swim the 200 freestyle relay along with Daniel Simoes, Max Skeen and Kevin Donaldson and the 400 freestyle relay with Max Bredl, Simoes and Donaldson. The Raiders are seeded 12th in the latter event.

“If we could make the A final (top eight) in the 400, that would be super-exciting, especially since we have two freshmen (Simoes and Donaldson) on the team.”

“We lost a lot to graduation last year,” said SV coach Brian Blackwell. “Daniel and Kevin have stepped in and given us a big boost on the relays.”

Following are the Butler County swimmers and divers who will be competing at the PIAA Class AAA Championships, scheduled Friday and Saturday at Bucknell University. Each athlete's name is preceded by his/her seed and followed by the seed time (score for divers).GirlsButler, Seneca Valley, Mars200 medley relay: 17-Seneca Valley (Taylor Schoeffel, Edie Sawyer, Julia Listwak, Alyvia Meanor) 1:47.95; 18-Butler (Abbie Griffith, Laura Goettler, Rachel Ledford, Savannah Holt) 1:47.98200 individual medley: 1-Laura Goettler (B) 1:58.68; 12-Kendall Craig (SV) 2:07.05; 19-Megan Smith (M) 2:08.311-meter diving: 14-Mackenzie Clark (SV) 414.05100 butterfly: 23-Abbie Griffith (B) 57.83500 freestyle: 25-Taylor Schoeffel (SV) 5:09.6100 backstroke: 16-Abbie Griffith (B) 57.41100 breaststroke: 2-Laura Goettler (B) 1:01.51; 18-Edie Sawyer (SV) 1:05.69400 freestyle relay: 26-Seneca Valley (Kendall Craig, Annabel Morrisard, Julia Listwak, Bella Stefanowicz) 3:37.47; 29-Butler (Savannah Holt, Laura Goettler, Abbie Griffith, Rachel Ledford) 3:38.14BoysButler, Seneca Valley200 medley relay: 21-Butler (Alex Deemer, David Bocci, Sam Deemer, Ben Borvendeg) 1:36.93; 30-Seneca Valley (Jonathan Simoes, Daniel Simoes, Max Bredl, Max Skeen) 1:38.39200 freestyle: 11-Alex Deemer (B) 1:42.4200 individual medley: 29-David Bocci (B) 1:56.1650 freestyle: 24-Ben Borvendeg (B) 21.56100 butterfly: 6-Owen Blazer (SV) 49.88; 18-Sam Deemer (B) 51.48500 freestyle: 11-Alex Deemer (B) 4:37.46, 13-David Bocci (B) 4:40.28200 freestyle relay: 16-Seneca Valley (Owen Blazer, Max Skeen, Daniel Simoes, Kevin Donaldson) 1:27.17100 backstroke: 4-Owen Blazer (SV) 49.38; 13-Sam Deemer (B) 51.51; 29-Jonathan Simoes (SV) 52.95400 freestyle relay: 12-Seneca Valley (Owen Blazer, Max Bredl, Daniel Simoes, Kevin Donaldson) 3:10.08; 14-Butler (Ben Borvendeg, David Bocci, Sam Deemer, Alex Deemer) 3:10.55