No limits for Ward & Mt. Lebanon swimmers
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Sophia Donati, Trinity Ward, Maddie Dorish and Hannah Morelli pose with their gold medals after winning the 200-yard medley relay at the PIAA Class AAA championships. The foursome recently earned All-America status for their time of 1:43.03 in the event. Additionally, Ward gained individual recognition in the 100 butterfly.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Trinity Ward poses with the gold medal she captured for winning the 100-yard butterfly during the PIAA championship. For the senior, it was her second state title in the event.
Trinity Ward earned the gold medal in the 100-yard butterfly during the PIAA championships held March 15-16 at Bucknell University.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
South Fayette’s Abby Duncan, a PIAA medalist in the 100-yard backstroke, committed to Ohio University.
In between winning gold medals in the 100-yard butterfly at two different PIAA swimming championships, Trinity Ward did a lot of soul searching. The Mt. Lebanon senior realized success may have come too quickly in 2017. She needed to work smarter and harder to retain her perch on the podium. And, in 2019, this time, she wasn’t going to miss the moment.
“As a sophomore, I was just a stupid kid and so surprised at what I had done. Knowing what I had gone through my junior year and all the bad,” she said, eluding to her sixth-place showing and 55.77 time in the 2018 state finals, “it makes you appreciate this even more.”
Ward certainly cherishes this year’s gold medal. She worked hard for it and her winning 54.19 time.
“Definitely, this one means more,” Ward said. “This year I was just focusing on enjoying states and being grateful that I get to do what I do. I had a real appreciation and love for those around me, especially my coaches, who are so special.”
Tom Donati especially cared about Ward as if she were like his own daughter, Sophia. As the skipper ship, he said he took “full responsibility” for what happened. He felt badly that his training approach resulted in Ward’s and the Lebo girls’ dismal 2018 showing.
“I let Trinity down,” he admitted. “Last year, we came home with our tails between our legs. The whole team had such a rough state meet that we couldn’t get out of Bucknell fast enough.
“Trinity was not happy and I was disappointed. We spent time together and communicated. We learned from each other and we made some changes that helped her get better. The thing though was she worked and she listened. She could have taken the easy way out but she realized that she is one of the best flyers in Pennsylvania and one hiccup was not the end of the world.”
The glitch that proved the difference between sixth and first this season were Ward’s walls. Donati said they had to change “10 plus” if she were to “charge” home with her second state gold medal in her specialty event. According to Donati, Ward was “receptive” and she “listened” to everything her coaches asked her to do.
Ward progressed so fast that she nearly took down the oldest WPIAL record on the books for the fly, missing the mark by a mere .28. Ward captured her fourth District 7 fly title in 54.44 back on Feb. 28. Interesting enough, Ward lowered her time to within .03 of that record when she won the state title on March 15.
She tapered by exclusively working one-on-one with Donati.
“We worked on turns, which is a weak point for me,” said Ward. “We did try doing something different with training than we did last year and I was more focused. At states, had my best race walls and all my underwaters (kicks) were good. We focused on those too and my mental approach. I had to want to be doing this for me. When you have the right attitude you swim better.”
Ward certainly had the proper perspective when she stepped to the blocks to swim the butterfly leg on Lebo’s gold-medal medley relay. Hannah Russell led off with the backstroke, Maddie Dorish followed on the breaststroke before Ward handed off the closing responsibilities to (Sophia) Donati, the freestyle anchor. Lebo won the event in 1:43.04.
“What Trinity did leading those girls was amazing. I knew nothing was going to stop her after that,” Donati said of the meet’s first race. “Trinity is such a great, hard worker. She will swim through a brick wall for you. She’s had a heck of a career and it has been a great ride.”
With only having one race on the second day of the competition-the 100 freestyle where she took third in 50.73-Ward was able to relax a little and take in the experience of her final scholastic meet. She took note of how “beautifully” the national anthem was sung and of the friendships she has made through swimmers. For example, though they are rivals, Olivia Livingston, who finished fourth in the 100, has pushed Ward throughout her career.
“When I was younger, I was not an elite swimmer until Coach Donati came along and I especially didn’t know any of the names of the people I was swimming against unless they were in my heat,” Ward said. “But it really hit me in my final race what a great experience I have had not just winning but being able to swim in meets like the WPIAL and states. I have had so many wonderful people who have pushed me and helped me to live my dream. I certainly wouldn’t be who I am today without them. I know for a fact that Coach Donati saw things I didn’t see in myself. For that I am so happy and grateful he’s been my coach. When I look back, I have so many friendships and memories that I treasure.”
When she matriculates to Kentucky, Ward surely will make more. She hopes to qualify for the NCAA championships next season and possibly be on a Top 8 relay. True to form, she has not ruled out a stab at the Olympics.
“I keep an open mind for whatever can happen. Besides,” she added, “you never can limit yourself.”
Notes: The team of Dorish, Ward, Meredith Reese and Donati secured sixth in the 200 free relay. Individually, Dorish won the consolation final in the 100 breast and placed ninth overall. Donati finished 16th in the 200 free.
Abbie Duncan reached the podium during the PIAA Class AAA girls’ swimming championships by securing a sixth-place medal in the 100-yard backstroke. The South Fayette junior posted a 55.70 time.
Upper Dublin freshman Meghan DiMartile won the event in 53.73. Duncan’s closest WPIAL competitor was Victoria Buerger. The North Allegheny junior finished fourth in 54.70.
“Talk about a talent,” Tom Donati said of Duncan, who competes recreationally for the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club. “If she keeps working and improves her under-water kicks, she can be a star. She is only going to get better but so is her event. The times just keep getting more amazing. Jaw-dropping,” he added.
Duncan is equalling amazed by her competition but she says that she is thrilled with what she accomplished. She is a two-time state qualifier, having moved up from 10th position.
“I was pretty excited going into my race and I did get a little nervous,” said the daughter of Gina and Eric Duncan. ” but I used that extra energy to my advantage and to swim fast.”
Other area females to swim fast in the state meet included Sophia Schlichting. She competed in the consolation final of the 500-yard freestyle. The Upper St. Clair sophomore finished 16th overall.
Taylor Connors, Elinor Connor, Abby Rutkowski and Ynyra Bohan finished 15th in the 400 free relay.