North Allegheny’s Chen selects Pitt to continue swimming career

By: Karen Kadilak
Friday, March 29, 2019 | 8:11 PM

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Great opportunities in and out of the pool persuaded North Allegheny senior Jerry Chen to continue his swimming career with Pitt next season.

“The Pitt team is up and coming,” said Chen, 18, of Franklin Park. “When I went on my recruiting trip, I saw firsthand that every single swimmer was working their absolute best to improve themselves.

“They are a great group of genuine, hardworking guys (who) made me feel like I fit in right away. The team reminded me of my high school team right now, where we are all so close and work hard for our common goals.”

The 5-foot-10 Chen helped the North Allegheny boys team to its eighth consecutive WPIAL Class AAA title and third straight PIAA title this season.

He placed second in the WPIAL (56.94 seconds) and fifth in the PIAA (56.54) in the 100-yard breaststroke, and first (one minute, 31 seconds) and second (1:30.70) as part of the 200 medley relay team.

He came in ninth in the WPIAL in the 200 individual medley (1:55.96), just missing a medal. He finished 11th (1:52.54) in the PIAA.

In his career, he earned three WPIAL gold medals on the 200 medley relay. He was WPIAL runner-up in the 100 breaststroke twice.

Pitt coach John Hargis said Chen has huge upside.

“(We) can’t wait to have him on campus training,” Hargis said. “We look to have long-term success with Jerry and know he can be a vital athlete for our program.”

The Panthers placed ninth of 12 at the ACC championship this season.

“My goals athletically (are) to contribute to the team at ACCs by scoring points and possibly qualifying for the NCAA championships,” Chen said. “I know I have a lot of improvement to go for this, but I have full confidence the coaches at Pitt will help me succeed.

“I also want to qualify for Olympic Trials.”

Chen is undecided about a major.

“Pitt provides a variety of majors, which is perfect for someone like me who has a wide range of interests,” Chen said. “I came into high school telling myself I was definitely going to major in chemical engineering, then changed it to computer science.

“Even now, I possibly want to do sports medicine or physical therapy. I’m excited to go super (deep) into subjects I love.”

Chen considered Emory and Georgia Tech.

North Allegheny senior captain Jack Wright, a Virginia recruit, said Chen has progressed a lot over his high school career, and it has been fun training with him.

“He’s a hard worker and great team leader,” Wright said.

North Allegheny coach Patrick Wenzel expects Chen to do great.

“I always look forward to seeing how my kids will swim at the next level and expect Jerry will have an impact right away,” Wenzel said. “He works extremely hard, which should translate into great college swimming.”

Tags: North Allegheny