ADAMS TWP — They helped to lift the Mars girls swimming program to new heights.

Now, they have chosen where the next chapter of their athletic careers will be written.

Seniors Courtney Shields and Rachel Szymkowiak will attend Xavier University and the University of Akron, respectively.

"I've seen them both progress over the last few years and there's going to be some big shoes to fill," said Mars coach Heidi Brandon. "I think both of them are going to the right place. They'll be able to compete at a high level."

The two swimmers, who went to the PIAA Class AA Championship meet all four years, found that having each other as teammates helped them in their high school careers.

"It was great to have somebody right next to you every day to challenge you," said Szymkowiak. "We pushed each other and made each other better swimmers."

After injuries and a bout with pneumonia curtailed her sophomore and junior seasons, Shields finally was able to experience a positive state meet in March.

She placed third in the 100-yard butterfly and fifth in the 100 freestyle at February's WPIAL Championships.

At states, she earned two individual medals by placing third in the butterfly and eighth in the 100 freestyle event.

"My first three trips to the state meet were disappointing," said Shields. "But this year, I finally got what I was looking for."

Shields chose Xavier, a member school of the Atlantic 10 Conference located in Cincinnati, over Davidson (N.C.) and Towson State (Md.).

"I liked the team and the coaches," she said. "It was just a nice atmosphere. Plus, they have an amazing business school, and that's going to be my major."

Shields admits she thought about swimming for a Division I program long before her senior year of high school. But now that it's a sure thing, she's very satisfied.

"It was always a goal of mine," she said. "But I went through some tough times over the last few years when I didn't know if I'd get there.

"I worked very hard to get here and it happened for me."

Shields will arrive at Xavier to swim the butterfly and freestyle events, but she said that could change depending on what the team needs.

Szymkowiak, who signed with Akron before last season, also had a very good finish to her high school career.

She was second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the butterfly at WPIALs before finishing fifth and eighth in those events, respectively, at the state meet.

Szymkowiak, who will major in either physical therapy or exercise science, soon will learn the ins and outs of swimming in the Mid-American Conference.

"I was also looking at Toledo and Towson State," said Szymkowiak. "But Akron's facilities were really nice. They cater to athletes, but they also know that academics are very important. It's a great balance, and I liked that."

With her high school swimming days now behind her, Szymkowiak knows that the opportunity to swim at the Division I level was made possible by many people.

"All of my coaches have helped me get to where I'm at, from the high school team to (Tom Donati) with the Seneca Valley Swim Club," she said. "I couldn't have asked for more.

"I plan on swimming with (SVSC) again this summer," she added. "I'm going to treat it like any other summer. I don't want to show up at Akron out of shape."