Franklin Regional swimmers wrap up successful season

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Franklin Regional swimming coach Dan Taylor talked before the season about a bright future.

His girls squad did not disappoint, and the boys are on track to return to power.

The girls placed seventh at the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championship on March 12-15 at Bucknell University in Class 2A and had numerous placewinners.

“The girls had a very nice season, and I’m looking forward to next year,” Taylor said. “Many of these girls went to states a year ago and did not place. This year, they got on the podium, and next year, they know what will take to climb up higher.”

Junior Maggie Hull placed fifth in the 200 freestyle and eighth in the 500 freestyle.

Sophomore Scarlett Zolnak placed sixth in the 200 freestyle and 12th in the 100 backstroke.

Junior Amelia Oates placed 12th in the 200 IM and also competed in the 100 backstroke.

Sophomore Kendyl Kurimsky competed in the 100 butterfly and sophomore Aidah Holm swam in the 100 butterfly.

All three relay teams scored points.

• The 200 medley relay team of Oates, sophomore Caroline Shirley, Hohm and sophomore Phoebe Boswell placed 12th.

• The 200 freestyle relay team of Hull, sophomore Jamie Kociela, Zolnak and Hohm placed sixth.

• The 400 freestyle relay team of Hull, Zolnak, Kociela and Hohm placed fifth.

“It was special to get on the podium,” Taylor said. “Now the goal is to reach top eight and move up the ladder even further.”

The boys competed in Class 3A at states with one swimmer scoring points.

Sophomore Thomas Westerman placed 12th in the 200 freestyle. He also competed in the 500 freestyle.

Senior Eric Lingg competed in the 200 IM.

The Panthers also had the 200- and 400-meter relay teams compete.

Lingg, senior Joseph Kvocak, junior Christopher Wu and Westerman are on the 200 freestyle relay team, and junior Peter Ducruet, Lingg, Kvocak and Westerman on the 400 freestyle relay team.

“This is Tommy’s first year on varsity and to place was big for him,” Taylor said. “Now he can shoot for top eight next year.

“We have a good group coming up next year. We have seven boys moving up from middle school, and I expect five could contribute on varsity. So, we should be good the next couple of years.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional