ADAMS TWP — Courtney Shields is keeping her fingers crossed.

The Mars senior swimmer will be making her fourth and final appearance at the PIAA Class AA Championships Wednesday and Thursday at Bucknell University.

Her last two trips have been interesting to say the least.

As a sophomore in 2007, Shields battled pneumonia into February and, though she swam in relays for the Planets at states, was not in top form.

Last year a shoulder injury held her back in March.

"I did well at WPIALs, but when it was time for states, my shoulder couldn't hold out any longer," said Shields, who gutted out a painful trip to Bucknell.

"I had (mononucleosis) back in November, so I've already had my illness for the year," she said with a laugh. "I'm just trying to do everything I can to stay healthy and be ready."

And if that's the way she shows up at Bucknell, it's bad news for her competitors.

Shields is seeded fourth in the 100-yard butterfly at 58.13 seconds and is a member of the Planets' 200 medley relay team, seeded sixth at 1:51.41.

Her other state events include the 100 freestyle (17th-54.44) and the 400 freestyle relay (13th-3:44.16).

"Coming back from pneumonia and a shoulder injury, it's tough to get yourself back into shape," said Mars coach Heidi Brandon. "But Courtney has worked very hard and is very focused.

"She's the most naturally talented swimmer on the team," added Brandon. "There are several (colleges) looking at her and she will make her decision after states."

Her time in the butterfly at the WPIAL event was a career best, but, with this being her last meet as a Planet, Shields is gunning for more.

"I still have room to improve," she said. "You see swimmers who have their best times at WPIALs and then again at states. It's difficult to do, but that's what I'm hoping for."

Mars' Rachel Szymkowiak is seeded sixth in both the butterfly (58.55) and 100 breaststroke (1:07.68).

The Planets' 200 medley relay includes Jeanna Smialek, Szymkowiak, Shields and Gabri Pierre.

The 400 freestyle squad consists of Szymkowiak, Corinna Luschini, Pierre and Shields.

Another senior finishing up a solid high school career is Knoch's Rachel Tano, who is seeded eighth in the 200 individual medley (2:12.67) and 20th in the breaststroke event (1:09.77).

Knoch's other individual qualifier is sophomore Kristy Daubner, who is 11th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.83.

Daubner recently broke her own school record in the event at WPIALs,

"My goals are to break the school record again and finish in the top eight," she said.

"We just held our banquet and Kristy was chosen as our most improved swimmer," said Knights coach Rick Hassler. "That tells you something right there."

Both Tano and Daubner will swim the 200 freestyle relay, along with teammates Nikki Krause and Jillian Vogus. The quartet is seeded 20th at 1:43.47.

Boys

The Grove City boys swimming team finished a perfect 16-0 and will be well represented at PIAAs.

Fresh off District 10 titles in their respective events, Ryan Sestak (100 freestyle) and Chris Gregg (100 breaststroke) look to cap a great season at Bucknell.

Sestak is seeded 21st (48.91) and Gregg 10th (1:01.1).

The Eagles' highest seed is the 400 freestyle relay squad of Sestak, Seth Brooks, Jacob Olson and Pat Shaw. The team is ranked sixth with a time of 3:18.13.

In all, Grove City is sending seven boys to states, its most ever.