With mix of experience, potential, Shady Side Academy swimmers expect exciting season

By: Antonio Rossetti
Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Shady Side Academy swimming is diving into the season with a veteran boys team and a girls team with a young but promising lineup.

Coach Erika Miller said the preparation for this year has been outstanding.

“We have a handful of swimmers that swim with various USA swimming clubs in the area, so that provides a strong baseline for our team,” Miller said. “We also have many swimmers that come into season from other sports (since athletics are a curriculum requirement at SSA). Our multi-sport athletes are generally in good physical condition but just need to regain their feel for the water the first couple of weeks.”

Miller said there’s been a great turnout. The Bulldogs are ready and motivated.

“We have a large freshmen class this year on the girls side, which has help reinforce our team which was on the smaller side last season,” Miller said. “The boys team has a large senior class, so numbers will be a point of emphasis for them next year.”

The boys bring a lot of experience to the pool. Three senior swimmers have competed at the PIAA meet three times.

One of the leaders is Soren Cooper, who was the PIAA runner-up in the 500 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle. Cooper is also an all-section baseball player for Shady Side.

Caden Zhao placed 10th in the 500 freestyle and 15th in the 200 freestyle.

Ava Jochims leads the charge for the girls as she was a runner-up in 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle.

Ellis Berkman is the senior captain for the girls and has competed in states in relays in all three of her seasons.

Miller said Berkman and Jochims are integral members for the Bulldogs.

“The combination of Ellis and Ava should help lead our large freshman class throughout the remainder of our dual meet and championship season,” Miller said.

The experience, especially from the seniors, is vital to help lead the team, but Miller added that it’ll be a collective effort.

“Their senior leadership has been invaluable, but we are always looking for leadership in all aspects — and classes — of our program,” Miller said. “We do have multiple seniors on the team that have competed at the PIAA meet in all three of their previous seasons, so that type of experience is vital to any program.”

Last year, three boys and two girls relay teams qualified for states.

Miller is hopeful the team will capitalize on its immense talent.

“We are truly focusing on team achievements this season,” Miller said. “This has been the strongest overall roster on the boys side in my coaching tenure and the girls team has a lot of young potential, so we will see who will step up come championship time.”

The Bulldogs have goals, and Miller strives to make sure they succeed.

“Every student-athlete completes a goal sheet at the beginning of each season,” Miller said. “In addition, we have individual boys and girls team meetings for both teams to set collective goals for the season. My goals as a coach really stem out of those exercises. These goals are vital to our training and focus throughout the year, but they are also internal to our unit.”

Miller enjoys coaching Shady Side Academy and believes there’s a lot that makes it special.

“I think one of things that makes Shady Side special is what I mentioned earlier regarding our multi-sport student-athletes,” Miller said. “It is not commonplace in today’s youth and high school environment, and this is an area where Shady Side and our swim team excel. On our team this year, we have multiple cross country runners, lacrosse players, two girls from the WPIAL championship field hockey team and an all-section baseball player as well. … I think this is becoming more unique in this era of athletics specialization and is something our team and SSA can be very proud of.”

Tags: Shady Side Academy