Stephanie Ciraula of Seneca Valley swims to victory in the 500 freestyle Thursday to help the Raiders girls beat Butler 95-88.

JACKSON TWP — Even though it was Senior Night, Seneca Valley swim coach Jerry Koller knew Butler's young team was going to come into the season finale raring to go.

The Raiders, however, had strength throughout the lineup, capturing first place in each swimming event as the girls prevailed 95-88 and the boys won 92-86.

The lone Butler wins came in diving, where Meredith Harbison won the girls event with 271.65 points and Levi Cetti took the boys competition with 270.65 points.

“Butler obviously is a rival with Seneca Valley in all sports,” Koller said. “We knew they were ready to come in here. We had to be prepared. Our young men and women stepped up and did what they had to do.

“Having a healthy respect makes a difference,” he added.

“We looked a little tired, but the tapering is where we need to be right now,” said Butler coach Ken Bedford

Katie Miller and Makena Lynch led the way for the Raiders girls (9-3) as they each won two events and took part in a pair of winning relays.

Miller won the 200 freestyle (2 minutes, 3.82 seconds) and the 100 butterfly (1:04.24), and Lynch won the 50 freestyle (25.17) and the 100 freestyle (55.67).

Both were a part of the victorious 200 and 400 freestyle relays (1:45.42 and 3:33.59, respectively).

Stephanie Ciraula won the 500 freestyle (5:28.49) and was a part of the aforementioned relays with Alicia Zilka.

Katie Burkette (200 individual medley), Emily Thomas (100 back) and Carley Belsterling (100 breaststroke) also helped the 200 medley relay win (1:58.30), along with Jackie Curtz.

“We had some surprises,” Koller said. “Emily won the 100 back and she's a senior, but Carley is a freshman and Katie Burkette is a sophomore.

“It shows the progress and where we need to go. They've bought in into the program I brought here,” Koller added.

In the boys meet, Ryan Cwik won the 200 freestyle (1:59.12) and the 100 butterfly (58.26), Justin Pritchard the 50 freestyle (23.35) and 100 breaststroke (1:03.42) and Anthony Geyer the 100 freestyle (50.45) and 100 backstroke (1:00.14)

All had a hand in two winning relays for the Raiders (8-4).Nick Wargo (200 IM, 2:13.38) and Brandon Nicklas (500 freestyle, 5:36.92) also won individual events, with Vargo involved in two winning relaysMatt Myers and Nicklas also helped out in another relay.Koller continued to toughen the Raiders schedule in hopes of preparing the team for the upcoming WPIAL playoffs.“We swim at Bethel Park and Mount Lebanon for a reason,” said Koller. “It's a good measuring stick. ... It really pays off in section meets.”<B>Notes:</B> Both Butler squads finished with winning records, the girls at 7-3, the boys at 6-4 .... Butler qualified 18 athletes for the upcoming WPIAL championships, while Seneca Valley has 13 individuals and all boys and girls relays.<B>GirlsSeneca Valley 95, Butler 88200 medley relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Emily Thomas, Carley Belsterling, Jackie Curtz, Katie Burkette) 1:58.30<B>200 freestyle:</B> 1-Katie Miller (SV) 2:03.82<B>200 individual medley:</B> 1-Katie Burkette (SV) 2:20.82<B>50 freestyle:</B> 1-Makena Lynch (SV) 25.17<B>100 butterfly:</B> 1-Katie Miller (SV) 1:04.24<B>1-meter diving:</B> 1-Meredith Harbison (B) 271.65<B>100 freestyle:</B> 1-Makena Lynch (SV) 55.67<B>500 freestyle:</B> 1-Stephanie Ciraula (SV) 5:28.49<B>200 freestyle relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Katie Miller, Alicia Zilka, Stephanie Ciraula, Makena Lynch) 1:45.42<B>100 backstroke:</B> 1-Emily Thomas (SV) 1:04.28<B>100 breaststroke:</B> 1-Carley Belsterling (SV) 1:10.41<B>400 freestyle relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Makena Lynch, Stephanie Ciraula, Alicia Zilka, Katie Miller) 3:33.59<B>BoysSeneca Valley 92, Butler 86200 medley relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Nick Wargo, Justin Pritchard, Ryan Cwik, Anthony Geyer) 1:46.08<B>200 freestyle:</B> 1-Ryan Cwik (SV) 1:59.12<B>200 individual medley:</B> 1-Nick Wargo (SV) 2:13.38<B>50 freestyle:</B> 1-Justin Pritchard (SV) 23.35<B>100 butterfly:</B> 1-Ryan Cwik (SV) 58.26<B>1-meter diving:</B> 1-Levi Cetti (B) 270.65<B>100 freestyle:</B> 1-Anthony Geyer (SV) 50.45<B>500 freestyle:</B> 1-Brandon Nicklas (SV) 5:36.92<B>200 freestyle relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Matt Myers, Dylan Bilka, Ryan Cwik, Brandon Nicklas) 1:40.55<B>100 backstroke:</B> 1-Anthony Geyer (SV) 1:00.14<B>100 breaststroke:</B> 1-Justin Pritchard (SV) 1:03.42<B>400 freestyle relay:</B> 1-Seneca Valley (Matt Myers, Anthony Geyer, Nick Wargo, Justin Pritchard) 2:37.46

With her teammates clustered at the starting block, Butler's Brianna Keelan starts the backstroke leg of the 200 medley relay during Thursday's meet at Seneca Valley. The Golden Tornado lost the event and the meet to the Raiders.