Penn Hills resident Emily Ruperto sets personal best at state swim meet

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, March 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Emily Ruperto qualified for many events at the WPIAL Class 2A swimming championships. The Serra Catholic sophomore and Penn Hills resident chose the ones she felt most comfortable in.

After qualifying for the PIAA meet in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, Ruperto also figured out what she wanted to work on for next year. Ruperto, who swims independently because Serra Catholic doesn’t have a team, would like to be less nervous.

“I think, especially at that event, I care so much,” Ruperto said. “At a certain point, I have to shut out everything going on in my head and swim. I feel like that is harder to do at states.”

Ruperto hit a new personal best in the 200 IM at the state meet, finishing in 2 minutes, 16.86 seconds. That allowed Ruperto to finish 21st and beat her seed time of 2:17.76.

Ruperto also competed in the 100 breast, where she placed 26th by swimming a time of 1:10.32.

Ruperto, who also qualified for states as a freshman, has a busy athletics schedule. During the fall season, Ruperto qualified for states in cross country.

With the spring coming up, Ruperto plans to compete in track and field. Typically, she does the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs. She also plans to do the 3,200-meter run this season.

“I really like competing,” Ruperto said. “I like running and swimming. They both benefit each other. If I get tired of swimming, I have running. If I get tired of running, I have swimming. They balance out well.”

Ruperto said her goal for swimming is to try to go to a section meeting in the summer. She is constantly after a lower time.

“I look forward to getting more best times,” Ruperto said.

Tags: Serra Catholic