Butler outsplashes Shaler

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

January 09, 2009 Last Updated: January 09, 2009 02:58 PM High School

Butler's Bri Keelan won the 100 butterfly in a time of 1 minute, 4.43 seconds Thursday to help the Golden Tornado girls beat Shaler 97-85.

Both Tornado squads earn wins vs. Titans

BUTLER TWP — Although Dacia Como is in her first season as coach of the Butler swimming and diving team, the Golden Tornado squad was still thinking about last season.

"The boys said that last year it came down to the final relay against Shaler and they lost, so we knew what they had to do," said Como

On Thursday, the boys went on to post a 93-88 victory while the girls team downed the Titans 97-85 as both teams improved to 2-3.

"We've been close in a lot of meets," said Como, "especially the girls, being down one or two points."

The truth is, with the team coming off its holiday break, Como didn't know what to expect. She only hoped for the best and, as it turned out, she got it.

Erik Bergh led the boys with a pair of individual victories, winning the 200 individual medley (2 minutes, 12.44 seconds) and the 500 freestyle (5:13.75), the latter time allowed him to qualify for next month's WPIAL Championships.

Also picking up wins for the Tornado boys were Sam Cleary in the 50 free (26.02), Heath Calhoun in 1-meter diving (269.75 points), Jason Clouse in the 100 free (53.86) and MattGoettler in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.26).

"We always tell the kids to go in and focus on the time and don't worry about your place," said Como. "A lot of kids are qualifying and had a shot for their best times. That's why you always come in confident."

The win marked the boys team's second of the year, doubling last year's results — another motivating factor for the team on Thursday.

In the girls meet, Bri Keelan was another double individual winner, capturing the 200 free (2:06.81) as well as the 100 butterfly (1:04.43). She also qualified for the WPIAL finals with her time in the 100 fly.

<table width="300" height="275" border="0" align="right" valign="top" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed src="/assets/mov/BE6277619.MOV " width="320" height="250" autostart="true" loop="false" ></embed></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/" target="_blank">Requires Quicktime Media Player </a> Video by Brandon Gerthoffer<td></tr></table>Keelan also was a member of the winning 400 free relay team (3:59.83), which included Jordan McElhaney, Morgan Morrison and Abby Merhaut.McElhaney also won the 500 free (5:46.81) while Brittany Grenet led a Tornado sweep in the 1-meter diving (229.25).The wins are something Como hopes will keep the team brimming with confidence heading into the next part of the schedule."They feel good, which is great," said Como. "Going into the Pine-Richland meet, they wanted this win so it gives them a boost of confidence. We wanted to walk away with a win to get that."GirlsButler 97, Shaler 85200 medley relay: 1-Shaler (Natalie Peduto, Rebecca Wakeley, Jaclyn Obman, Sara Daversa) 2:01.5200 freestyle: 1-Bri Keelan (B) 2:06.81200 individual medley: 1-Rebecca Wakeley (S) 2:20.46; 2-Morrison (B)50 freestyle: 1-Heather Wakeley (S) 27.27; 2-Merhaut (B); 3-Kriley (B)1-meter diving: 1-Brittney Grenet (B) 229.25; 2-Harbison (B); 3-Zanella (B)100 butterfly: 1-Bri Keelan (B) 1:04.43100 freestyle: 1-Emma Crawford (S) 1:00.54; 2-Merhaut (B)500 freestyle: 1-Jordan McElhaney (B) 5:46.81; 3-Corso (B)200 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler (Sara Daversa, Jaclyn Obman, Heather Wakeley, Emma Crawford) 1:51.41100 backstroke: 1-Natalie Peduto (S) 1:06.91; 3-McElhaney (B)100 breaststroke: 1-Rebecca Wakeley (S) 1:12.71; 3-Morrison (B)400 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Jordan McElhaney, Morgan Morrison, Abby Merhaut, Bri Keelan) 3:59.83BoysButler 93, Shaler 88200 medley relay: 1-Shaler (Cameron Park, Paul Jamison, Nikolai Scott, Sean Miller) 1:54.2200 freestyle: 1-Ben Werner (S) 1:54.77; 2-Clouse (B)200 individual medley: 1-Erik Bergh (B) 2:12.44; 3-Goettler (B)50 freestyle: 1-Sam Cleary (B) 26.02; 3-Calhoun (B)1-meter diving: 1-Heath Calhoun (B) 269.75; 2-Murphy (B); 3-Berry (B)100 butterfly: 1-Nikolai Scott (S) 58.30100 freestyle: 1-Jason Clouse (B) 53.86; 2-Bauer (B)500 freestyle: 1-Erik Bergh (B) 5:13.75200 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler (Andrew Gaudish, Paul Jamison, Nate Park, Jeremy Banachoski) 1:46.37100 backstroke: 1-CameronPark (S) 1:02.37; 2-Bauer (B); 3-Myers (B)100 breaststroke: 1-MattGoettler (B) 1:10.26; 3-Graham (B)400 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler (Jeremy Banachoski, Nikolai Scott, Cameron Park, Ben Werner) 3:44.59