Butler's David Bocci competes in the200-yard individual medley on his way to victory Monday night against Knoch. Bocci won the 100 breaststroke as well as the Golden Tornado swept the swim meet.

BUTLER TWP — Rachel Ledford is in the stretch run of her varsity swimming career and the Butler senior is hoping to go out with a personal-best effort.

In Monday's 99-77 win over Knoch, Ledford won the 200-yard individual medley and the backstroke while helping the Tornado's 200 and 400 freestyle relays to victories. She has swam at WPIALs all three years in both individual and relay events.

“Rachel is a four-year member of the team and has gained so much experience,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “She has learned so much and her swimming I.Q. this year is tremendous.”

Ledford has already qualified for the district championship meet in the backstroke and plans to do so in the 200 IM in Butler's final three meets.

“I tried the 200 freestyle last year and almost made the WPIAL cut, but I had a shoulder injury and wasn't able to train the way I needed to,” she said. “I'm only two seconds off the IM cut this season.”

“The backstroke is Rachel's best event, but she'll make it in the IM,” Bocci asserted. “As a coach, you want to see seniors go out at their best and she has the opportunity to do that. She is poised to do well.”

Ledford will also be swimming a leg on Butler's 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays in the postseason.

“We have big goals in the 200 medley,” said Ledford. “We have the chance to really do well.

“Practices aren't easy,” she added, “but it feels good when you do well in one because you're thinking it's going to pay off in the end.”

Butler had several other girls win multiple events. They included: Laura Goettler (200 and 500 freestyle), Savannah Holt (100 freestyle, breaststroke) and Abbie Griffith (50 freestyle, butterfly).

The Tornado girls improved to 4-3 while Knoch's girls fell to 3-4.

Butler's boys also dominated against the Knights, earning a 95-81 win and improving to 5-2.

David Bocci (200 IM, breaststroke), Ben Borvendeg (100 and 200 freestyle), Sam Deemer (butterfly and backstroke) and Alex Deemer (500 and 50 freestyle) each had the best time in a pair of individual events.

Knoch diver Kevin Golden won his event with a score of 169.2, but another Knight took another step forward in an event he recently picked up.

Sophomore Zac Wilson reached the state meet last season in the breaststroke. His older brother, John, won two district titles in the event several years ago. It seemed like a perfect fit for Zac, but he discovered earlier this season that it wasn't to be.

“I asked him recently what events he wanted to go for at WPIALs,” said Knoch coach Rick Hassler. “He said the 200 IM and the backstroke.”

Wilson turned in his best time to date in the latter Monday, placing second with a time of 56.76.

“I started with the breaststroke this year, but it just wasn't working out,” Wilson said. “So I've been working in the backstroke, but my goal is still to get to states.”

Hassler sees no reason why that can't happen.

“He's a very good all-around swimmer,” he said. “He's a versatile athlete.”

Knoch fell to 4-3.

Both teams will soon return to Butler's pool. Knoch hosts section foe East Allegheny there Wednesday. Butler hosts Armstrong on Thursday.

<b>Girls</b>Butler 99, Knoch 77200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Abbie Griffith, Laura Goettler, Ellie Weiss, Savannah Holt) 1:55.66200 freestyle: 1-Laura Goettler (B) 2:00.91200 individual medley: 1-Rachel Ledford (B) 2:21.4250 freestyle: 1-Abbie Griffith (B) 26.471-meter diving: 1-Maura Szebalskie (B) 216.1100 butterfly: 1-Abbie Griffith (B) 1:01.88100 freestyle: 1-Savannah Holt (B) 58.64500 freestyle: 1-Laura Goettler (B) 5:18.11200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Savannah Holt, Rachel Ledford, Abbie Griffith, Laura Goettler) 1:46.49100 backstroke: 1-Rachel Ledford (B) 1:04.86100 breaststroke: 1-Savannah Holt (B) 1:11.26*400 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Rachel Ledford, Eve Merhaut, Ellie Weiss, Katelyn Knights) 4:08.81*<b>Boys</b>Butler 95, Knoch 81200 medley relay: 1-Butler (David Bocci, Alex Deemer, Sam Deemer, Ben Borvendeg) 1:43.36200 freestyle: 1-Ben Borvendeg (B) 1:52.15200 individual medley: 1-David Bocci (B) 2:02.0150 freestyle: 1-Alex Deemer (B) 22.951-meter diving: 1-Kevin Golden (K) 169.2100 butterfly: 1-Sam Deemer (B) 55.74100 freestyle: 1-Ben Borvendeg (B) 50.18500 freestyle: 1-Alex Deemer (B) 4:52.09200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (David Bocci, Zach Callithen, Ben Borvendeg, Tanner Vietmeier) 1:34.94100 backstroke: 1-Sam Deemer (B) 54.95100 breaststroke: 1-David Bocci (B) 1:07.09*400 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Alex Deemer, Sam Deemer, Zach Callithen, Tanner Vietmeier) 3:39.62**Butler swam these events as exhibition and Knoch was awarded the points.

Butler's Ben Borvendeg swims the 200-yard freestyle Monday night. He won two events in the meet.