Penn Hills 3-sport athlete turns his focus to the pool

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, November 24, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Anthony Sipple enjoys the challenge of playing multiple sports, but the Penn Hills junior knows that swimming isn’t the one where it is possible to give a lesser effort.

Sipple has the challenge of trying to return to the WPIAL Class 3A championships after qualifying for two individual events and as part of a relay last season.

“You have to dedicate the time to it. Even when you don’t want to do it, you have to do it,” Sipple said. “Especially when you are on a relay, you have to do your part.”

While Sipple’s primary sport is baseball and he also plays golf, he has followed the family tradition of excelling in the pool.

Sipple qualified in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke last season. He also competed in three relay events.

“I definitely think he is a natural athlete,” Indians coach Morgan Bush said. “He likes the competition. Once he gets an idea in his head, he strives for it.”

Sipple had succeeded in relays with Clarke Leonard, Anthony Collins and Luke Hoolahan during the previous two seasons. The Indians lost Hoolahan to graduation and are hoping Elijah Flowers will be able to step into the void.

“He has been on the swim team the last few years and has grown tremendously,” Bush said. “He took the initiative to join the Rosedale Rockets. Then he also went to GPAC swimming after Rosedale was done. He knows he wants the spot. He has to push and work for it.”

Bush said Collins is another strong multisport athlete for Penn Hills. He also plays soccer and volleyball.

On the girls side, Bush expects Sydney Smith to have a good season in the 100 breaststroke.

Penn Hills had 24 combined swimmers on the roster for the boys and girls teams this season. The Indians will be in Section 3-3A along with Baldwin, Central Catholic, Fox Chapel, Gateway, Plum, Shaler and Woodland Hills.

“We have a lot of new swimmers,” Bush said. “We have a lot of developmental swimmers. We want them to get comfortable and confident in themselves. We would like to find a way to help them do something to exceed their expectations.”

Sipple hopes to find a way to challenge for a spot in the PIAA tournament. His attention is squarely on swimming right now.

“I’d say the big goal is to qualify with better times and get better places in WPIAL events,” Sipple said. “I’d like to maybe get to states in one event.”

Tags: Penn Hills