Feb 26, 2018 5 min read

North Allegheny is the team to beat in the WPIAL Class AAA swimming championships set for Thursday and Friday at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.

The Tigers have captured 11 of the past 12 titles in the boys’ competition and the girls have captured nine in a row, bringing their total to 21.

So when asked what squads could do to snap NA’s stranglehold, Mike Meyers summed up in one word the sentiment of all area coaches. “Nothing,” said the Peters Township head coach.

That being said, the Indians are prepared to try. They certainly are ready to defend their runner-up status.

Led by Stephen Hopta, Peters Township secured second place in last year’s competition with a 238 score. NA won the championship with a whopping 433 points. Upper St. Clair finished third with a 210 mark.

And Hopta returns. The senior helped guide the boys’ team to an 11-2 overall dual-meet record and a 5-1 showing in Section 8, which was won by Upper St. Clair with an undefeated finish.

The PT girls posted a 4-2 mark in Section 8. The Indians were 6-7 overall.

And, Peters Township is sending one of its largest contingents to the WPIAL championships. Nineteen swimmers have met the qualifying standards, 17 swimmers and two divers.

“We are having a remarkable year,” Meyers said.

Hence expectations are high for the WPIAL championships.

Regarding the girls, Meyers said they have made huge strides in the last few weeks and several more swimmers earned their individual cut times during that period.

“They will all do their very best times,” Meyers predicted of their district competitions. “They will have a lot of fun along the way.”

The girls who expect to have fun at the WPIAL finals include Carly Frizzell, Lindsey Glover, Cassidy Sweeney, Devon Milley, Rachel Raber, Kayla McClintock, Claire Mitchell and Issabella Manzari.

As mentioned, Hopta leads the boys in the defense of their runner-up trophy. The All-America swimmer is the defending champion in the 100-yard backstroke. He won last year’s race with a 50.03 time, a scant .36 ahead of Upper St. Clair’s Jack Fitzpatrick, who also returns.

“Stephen is a racer,” said Meyers. “He will do whatever it takes to get his hand on the wall first. He is our leader. He sets the positive tone for the whole team, boys and girls, and they get behind him. His team-before-individual attitude is infectious.”

Hopta, who finished fifth in last year’s 200-yard freestyle, also will race in two relays along with Paul Luniewski, who is a decorated veteran from past WPIAL competitions. The pair helped last year’s 400-yard free relay team take the bronze.

Luniewski also returns as the bronze medalist in the 100-yard breaststroke event.

While Bert Wang, Ryan Rose, Alex Lepri, Aidan Dowdall, Justin Manhollan, Andrew Mikhaylovsky, Alec Haag and Mike Pazuchanics will compete in the swim finals. Garrett Buzzelli qualified for the swimming and diving championships.

Fast times

at C-M High

At Canon-McMillan, the Big Macs swam enough fast times to set three records this season. The boys’ medley relay team shattered the mark with a 1:40.37 mark over 200 yards. Cody Stewart set the standard with a 1:46.02 in the 200-yard freestyle. Abby Mele broke the record in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of :59.87.

“We are having a super season,” said Paul Riesmeyer, who is in his first season as head coach of the girls’ and boys’ programs. “Our teams have worked hard and look forward to a strong finish.”

Stewart enters the WPIAL championships as one of the top seeds in the 100 fly and free races. The senior took the bronze in the fly finals last year.

“We look for Cody to improve,” Riesmeyer said. “We are looking forward to his performances at the WPIAL championships.”

Expectations also are high for Mele. The sophomore will not only race in the fly but the 100-yard breaststroke, alongside senior Emily Georgetti.

“Emily is looking to score with Abby in that race,” said Riesmeyer. “Abby also has a great chance to medal in a tightly seeded fly.”

The Big Macs also boast two outstanding 200 medley and free relays. In addition to Stewart, the team has a strong group of freestylers. Among those qualified in freestyle events are Nick Pirollo, Liam Sulc, Max Orlowski and Brant Purcell. Orlowski also is qualified in the backstroke while Cole Orlowski met the time standards in the 100 fly.

“Our boys relays are very strong this year,” Riesmeyer said. “We are excited to see how those races go and see them strive for the state level.”

In addition to Mele and Georgetti, Mary Sadlek gained her first WPIAL berth. She qualified for the WPIAL diving championships, which were held Feb. 24 at North Allegheny. The junior finished 17th in the competition.

In the WPIAL Class AAA boys’ diving competition held Feb. 24 at North Allegheny, Ryan Saunders of Peters Township finished 10th with a 351.35 score while his teammate, Garrett Buzzelli, took 13th with a 339.85 mark. Jonah Cagley from Fox Chapel successfully defending his title, winning the championship with a 536.85 total.