PITTSBURGH — Thursday's Class 3A girls individual medley proved how tough it can be to win a WPIAL title.

Butler senior Laura Goettler has four district crowns to her credit and entered the IM as three-time defending champion.

A fourth straight championship in the event was thwarted by North Allegheny's Torie Buerger, who posted a time of two minutes, .57 seconds at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool.

Goettler, who was seeded first in the event, placed second at 2:02.45. She led after the first stroke (butterfly), then fell behind Buerger during the backstroke.

The defending state champ in the breaststroke, Goettler was unable to use that leg to close the gap.

“I made a little bit of time up in the breast, but I was tight during the race,” she said. “It's happened to me before, especially in the IM.

“When that happens, there's not much you can do, just go for it.”

While second place in the event here is new for Goettler, her time should get her to next month's state meet.

Seneca Valley junior Kendall Craig placed third in the IM with a personal-best time of 2:03.63.

“I was hoping to drop a little more time,” admitted Craig, “but I'm definitely not upset with it.

“There are times when I try to see where the other swimmers are during a race, if I'm leading or not,” she added. “But not today. I just focused on myself.”

In Class AA, North Catholic's Brittney Carmazzi was another swimmer who walked off the podium with a bit of disappointment. She was ranked first in the 100 butterfly, but placed second behind Maria Mrosko of Laurel Highlands.

Still, Carmazzi's time of 57.60 broke her own school record of 57.67.

Not bad for a swimmer who missed a large portion of the season due to injury and illness.

“I had bronchitis and when I came back, I injured my back,” the junior said. “I didn't get the work or time in at practice that I needed.

“I had a lot to deal with and considering that, I can't be too upset.”

Carmazzi did second-guess herself regarding the very end of Thursday's race.

“I had to decide to make one more stroke or to stay underwater and glide to touch the wall,” she said. “I stayed underwater and that probably cost me some time.”

North coach T.J. Barry looks at the big picture when it comes to Carmazzi's performance.

“With everything she had going on this year, the fact that she was even in that race today is beyond me,” he said. “I'm surprised she is swimming as well as she is.”