This year’s PIAA Class 3A girls swimming championships resulted in some fast swims for area athletes on Friday and Saturday in Kinney Natatorium at Bucknell University.
Central Bucks East sent the largest contingent.
Freshman Grace Petrakis touched in 2:06.99 for 10th place in the 200-yard individual medley for the Patriots.
Teammate Abbie DiGregorio, a senior, was 19th in the 100 backstroke (58.40).
Jillian Thorning, Erin Suter, DiGregorio and Petrakis ended the meet with a trip to the consolation heat, finishing 12th (3:35.71).
“We were nervous going into the relay but after we were done swimming, we were all just so happy to be here,” said Suter, a senior captain. “It was so exciting just to be here. The energy is just insane. It’s a great meet to be here with your team.”
Suter’s father, Brian, is the longtime coach at Neshaminy.
“He was here to see me swim and he’s great at pep talks,” she said.
Pennridge junior Ally Ricciardi was the only area swimmer to reach the consolation heat in two individual events. She was 11th in the 50 freestyle (24.19) and 13th in the 100 freestyle (52.48).
She also led off the 200 freestyle relay for Lexy Hulse, Emily Myers and Adi Garges. The foursome finished 23rd (1:40.24).
“I wish I would have gone a little faster, but overall I’m happy,” she said. “Definitely next year I want to make it to an ‘A’ final next year. I didn’t make the night swims at all last year and this year I made it to both ‘B’ finals so next year I want to take another step up.”
It was the state finale for Erin Goodling of Central Bucks South. Goodling, a senior, finished 12th in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.55).
The Titans’ 200 medley relay of Abby Fee, Goodling, Gianna Bevivino and Riley Reteneller opened up the competition with a 23rd place finish (1:50.08).
“It’s not the time I wanted but I’m here with my teammates and I had a lot of fun, so I’ll take it,” Goodling said. “This is such a bittersweet moment for me because it’s the end, but I’m so thankful for everything I’ve been able to accomplish these past four years. I’m sad that it’s over, but I had a great time.”
Kaitlyn Landers of Council Rock North, competing in her first state meet, reached the consolation heat of the 100 freestyle. She finished 15th (52.72).
“I thought it was great,” said Landers, who was also 24th in the 200 individual medley (2:12.88). “I had a lot of fun.
“I didn’t expect to make the ‘B’ final in the 100 so that was nice. My goal was to make it to a night swim and I was right in there. Now I really am looking forward to next year.”
Central Bucks West senior Lina Hofmann finished 27th in the 100 backstroke (59.81). Sydney Petty, Hofmann, Maddie Majewski and Marley Swain placed 29th in the 200 medley relay (1:53.04).
In Class 2A girls diving, held Wednesday, Hulmeville resident Meghan Scott, competing for Nazareth Academy, finished in fourth place (232.15 points).
“I definitely liked the competition,” said Scott, a senior. “I really liked my dives. I think I did pretty well and with the big crowd here, it was a good meet.”
This year the PIAA shifted from 11 dives to six.
“It went by very fast,” Scott said. “I think the meet might have been a little more consistent if we had 11 dives but my six were pretty solid so I’m happy with that.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
