Seton-La Salle among swimmers to watch in AA
For Meloni DiPietro-Guthoerl, the WPIAL Class AA swimming championships afford the Seton-La Salle skipper an opportunity that doesn’t present itself during the dual-meet competition. She spectates and enjoys the competition.
“It’s nice to see the teams that we competed against in the regular season at the meet and get to cheer all of their swimmers on,” she said.
“The fast swims and records broken are always the most exciting thing about the competition.”
Although the contingent of Rebels swimming in the finals is small, DiPietro-Guthoerl anticipates plenty of fast swims. Already, she has witnessed her fastest entrant break the school’s record twice this season.
Cullin Baker has shaved time off the 100-yard freestyle event two times this winter. The junior enters the WPIAL meet seeded seventh with a time of 50.69. He is also featured in the 50 free race, seeded eighth with a 23.02 time.
“Cullin has had a great season and I am hoping to see him place and go to states for both the 50 and 100 free,” said DiPietro-Guthoerl.
The top finishers and those meeting the qualifying standards advance to the PIAA championships set for March 15-18 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg.
Individually, Ed Durstein will participate in the 500 freestyle event. The freshman enters the competition with a 5:25.18 mark.
“As a freshman, Ed will be getting the experience of swimming with the fastest,” explained DiPietro-Guthoerl. “Being around competition like that, I expect he will be dropping a lot of time in his race.”
DiPietro-Guthoerl anticipates the SLS relays will shave time as well because Baker and Durstein are integral parts of the teams. Baker anchors both the 200 and 400 free units. Devin Gilfoyle leads off the races followed by Tom Aumer. Tegan Collins subs for Durstein in the 200 free event.
“I’m excited to see the relays drop time for both individuals,” DiPietro-Guthoerl said of Baker and Durstein. “And the team as a whole,” she added.
As a whole, the Rebel boys compiled a 4-2 section record. Not bad, notes DiPietro-Guthoerl, as the team consists of only 10 members. On the female side, she added, “the girls are still rebuilding their team.” However, for the first time in its 10-year existence, the Lady Rebels qualified a team member. Quinn Scharding earned a berth in the WPIAL diving championships. However, due to an injury, the sophomore was unable to compete.
Several other area individuals will compete in the Class AA finals.
Representing South Fayette are: David Ewing (200 and 500 free), Carson Tucker (200 free); Joseph Black (500 free), Michael Black, (200 IM and 100 fly), Dante Cecere, (50 and 100 free) and Shyam Redd, (100 back)
Swimming for Keystone Oaks are: Cassidy Grabowski, 100-yard butterfly; and Alicia Lehman, 100 free and back.