Tigers drown SV title hopes

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

February 18, 2005 Last Updated: February 18, 2005 02:13 PM High School

JACKSON TWP - Two seemed to be the magic number in Seneca Valley girls swim meet against North Allegheny Thursday.

With a section title going to the winner, the Raiders opened and closed the meet with pool records in the 200 medley and in 400 freestyle relays.

But North Allegheny used two consecutive races - the 500 freestyle and the 200 freestyle relay - to outscore the Raiders 25-5 and to post a 98-88 victory.

In the boys meet, the Tigers also prevailed, coming away with a 120-63 win.

"We had a chance, but those two events got us," said Seneca Valley coach Tom Donati. "That could have made the decision different, but we really wanted that record at the end (the 400 freestyle relay)."

For the second consecutive meet, the Raiders broke the pool record in the 200 medley, this time a 1-minute, 49.15-second effort turned in by Stacie Safritt, Mandie Huffman, Kylie Gamelier and Kelly Connolly.

The foursome had the mark of 1:50.30 in last Thursday's meet against Butler. They also hold the school record (1:48.63), which they set at last year's WPIAL finals.

Safritt also won the 200 freestyle (1:58.26) and 100 backstroke (59.95), Connolly won the 50 freestyle (25.47) and the 100 freestyle (54.16), and Huffman won the 100 breaststroke (1:09.0).

The Raiders' other win in the meet came from freshman diver Diana Rocco (210.40).

"It would have been nice to win the section title," said Donati, "But were have to get the big guns ready in two weeks (the WPIAL finals).

The Raiders (10-3, 4-1) held a slight lead before the 500 freestyle, but the Tigers (9-1, 5-0) went 1-2-3 in the event.

Then, they grabbed the top two places in the 200 freestyle relay to open up a 14-point lead.

The Raiders won the last three events, but couldn't overcome the deficit.

"I figured we'd get 100 points and we got 98," said North Allegheny coach Corky Semler. "It depended if they were going to go for the 200 freestyle relay. I knew in one of the two relays, we we're going to score big points."

In the boys meet, Drew Snyder led the way with a win in the 50 freestyle (22.40) and 100 freestyle (59.0), Patrick Shore won in the 100 fly (59.0) and Scott Bowser won in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.49).

The trio teamed with Ben Gutmann to help the Raiders (9-4, 3-2) open the meet with a win in the 200-medley relay (1:45.07).

"The boys team swam great," said Donati. "We had a lot of good times, but I think NA will be favored in both of the WPIAL finals."

With the section title riding on the outcome, Donati was thrilled at the atmosphere.

"It was a fun night, a good way for our seniors to go out," said Donati. "I've never seen this place like this. The place was packed. It was awesome and a fun, fun night.

"We still have a lot of work to do, but I feel really good about where we're at."

Notes:

The Tigers' boys team finished 10-0 overall and 5-0 in the section. In the past two years, the teams are a combined 39-1 with two section titles each … Next up will be the WPIAL Diving Championships Feb. 26 at Pine-Richland, then the WPIAL Swimming Championships March 3-4 at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool.

Results for Seneca Valley listed

Girls

North Allegheny 98, Seneca Valley 88

200 medley relay:

1-Seneca Valley (Stacie Safritt, Mandie Huffman, Kylie Gamelier, Kelly Connolly) 1:49.15 (pool record)

200 freestyle:

1-Stacie Safritt 1:58.26

200 individual medley:

2-Kylie Gamelier 2:14.31; 3-Mandie Huffman 2:19.98

50 freestyle:

1-Kelly Connolly 25.47

1-meter diving: