Lebo swimmers strong in the pool - Sports - The Almanac

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1/25/2012

Lebo swimmers strong in the pool

Katie Ford is not the only strong swimmer on the girls' team at Mt. Lebanon.

The Lebo ladies also feature Courtney Errington. The senior is a two-time state qualifier in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle. She is also a member of the 200 and 400 free relay teams that scored at states last year.

In fact, all four members of those relays return including Errington, Meghan Schilken, Megan Gardner and Ford.

Thus Mt. Lebanon coach Dave Schraven expects great things out of the relays at the PIAA championships.

Additionally, Schilken has an excellent chance to qualify and place at states in the backstroke says Schraven.

What makes Lebo strong adds Schraven is the competition among the team members for spots on the relays.

Junior Anna McGlade, who specializes in the 200 and 500 free, is getting faster in the sprints.

Another pleasant surprise, says Schraven, is Veronica Bogdanski. The freshman has qualified for the WPIAL finals in the 50 and 100 free races.

Also vying for a relay spot is Nikki Dempe. The senior is qualified individually in the 500 free and 100 back.

As a team, the Lebo ladies have established a Top 5 finish in the team standings as their goal for the WPIAL championships.

"This will be difficult to do," admitted Schraven, "but if we swim well it is do-able.

"But really," he added, "we are focusing on states and doing the best we can there. Our mantra is 'to be our best when it matters most.' States is what matters most."

On the boys' side, though Lebo lost high-profile swimmers in John Nappi, Sho Sugimoto and Sam Wilshire to graduation in the past few years, Schraven is pleased with the progress of this year's squad. "We are swimming extremely well relative to our previous best times," he said.

Five Lebo men have already qualified for the WPIAL championships.

Theo Hubbard is focused on the 200 and 500 free events although he could makes states in the 200 IM and fly.

"He is training very hard and having a great season," Schraven said. "Theo is a great all-around swimmer."

Though he just started swimming year-round, Armani Kobik will compete in the 50 and 100 free at the WPIAL finals. Schraven expects the senior "to really surprise some people" with his performances at the end of the season.

Lebo's other WPIAL qualifiers include: senior Reese Eckenrode (50 free), and sophomores Alex Rice and Nik Victor (both in the 100 fly).

"If we continue to work hard and swim fast the way we have been, I think we have an outside chance to make states in one of the free relays," Schraven said. "This is our most important team goals."

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