Mar 19, 2025 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

Sylvia Roy cruised to her third straight state title in the 100-yard backstroke during the PIAA Class 3A championships held at Bucknell University. In winning the race, she shattered her own state record with a 52.74 time.

Sylvia Roy put an exclamation point on her scholastic swimming career when she not only captured her third straight state title in the 100-yard backstroke during the PIAA championships, but the senior from Mt. Lebanon also shattered her own record in the event.

“What a way to go out,” said her coach Tom Donati. “Her goal was to win and break her record. There was no better way to finish.

“That’s a tribute to Sylvia,” he added. “She is so driven and she got faster.”

Roy breezed to victory in her signature swim, shaving almost two tenths of a second off her time. In 2024, Roy won the event in record fashion with a 52.90. In 2025, she swam a 52.74.

In addition to her gold-medal performance in the 100 back, Roy secured the silver in the 50 freestyle. She clocked a 22.86, .42 off the winning pace by Molly Workman, who also won the 100 free event. It was the third straight runner-up showing in the 50 free for Roy at the state meet, which was held March 14-15 at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium.

Bound for the University of Virginia in the fall, Roy accumulated a bounty of medals and accolades. In addition to her state collection, Roy had been a four-time WPIAL champion in both the 50 free and 100 back. She is the district record holder in each of those races as well as the 100 free.

Roy also participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2024. She narrowly missed a spot in the semifinals of the 100-meter back.

“I have coached a lot of swimmers in my career,” said Donati, who has trained competitive athletes for 35 years, including 13 as Mt. Lebanon High School skipper.

“No doubt Sylvia is the best I have had by far and one of the most accomplished swimmers in WPIAL history. She’s not just talented,” he continued. “She’s coachable and driven. I have even grown as a coach because of her.

“She’s a special kid and loyal,” Donati added. “She could have trained anywhere but from day one, when she was a Piranha swimming with the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club, she was a Lebo kid.”

Two additional Lebo athletes earned medals at the state competition.

Malcolm Thompson captured fourth in the diving. Bound for Fordham University, the senior scored 487.95 points.

Donati noted Thompson was in ninth place heading into the final round, but he nailed his final dive, which carried a degree of difficulty of 3.1, catapulting him into fourth place.

“We watched him miss that dive in warm-ups but he threw it down on that final dive. It was the hardest dive in the meet,” Donati said.

“Malcolm really stuck his last three dives,” he added. “Credit to him. He’s the best diver in Lebo history.”

Meanwhile, Rizen Sherpa secured seventh place in the 200 IM. The sophomore posted a 1:51.70 time, which was five-tenths of a second off the school record set by Brian Ramsey.

“We are excited for Rizen,” Donati said. “It will be interesting to see what he does next year and in the future. He’s going to be special.”

The Mt. Lebanon girls finished 10th in the team standings while Peters Township placed 15th.

Upper Dublin won the girls team title with 261 points, well ahead of runner-up Wilson (188) and third-place finisher Hatboro-Horsham (180). North Allegheny finished fourth.

Individually, Lauren Opitz earned two spots on the podium. The Peters Township senior, who is bound for Emory University, placed sixth in the 100 butterfly (56.14) and eighth in the 100 back (56.84).

Ava Komoroski took ninth in the 50 free with a 23.53 mark. The PT sophomore added 12th in the 100 free.

Lebo’s 400 free relay team of Roy, Helen Albu, Lillian Evan and Colleen Hart placed ninth. The 200 medley unit of Roy, Albu, Leah Werzyn and Evan finished 12th.