Penn Hills swimmers optimistic about season despite pool repairs

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Things will be decidedly different for the Penn Hills swimming team this season. When the Indians start the season, Penn Hills will have its home meets at the Olympic Swim & Health Club instead of the school’s pool at Linton Middle School.

The pool has had maintenance issues since last spring that have made it inoperable. There is a plan to repair the pool, but it wasn’t slated to be done before the varsity swim season started.

Penn Hills will only have two home meets this season. The Indians will host Obama Academy, without diving, at the Olympic Health & Swim Club on Jan. 31, as well as a meet against Plum on Feb. 7.

Senior swimmer Lauren Sipple is excited for the season but disappointed the pool wasn’t repaired in time for the start of the year.

“It’s been upsetting that it wasn’t a priority,” Sipple said. “This is one of the best teams I have been on personally. We will make the best of it. We will enjoy it no matter what.”

Penn Hills hopes to find another way to get some qualifiers for the WPIAL Class 3A championships this season. Last year, the boys’ 200 freestyle relay team, consisting of Anthony Sipple, Anthony Collins, Luke Hoolahan and Clarke Leonard, qualified to compete at the district championships.

Anthony Sipple missed qualifying for the 50 freestyle by two-tenths of a second, while Hoolahan was four-tenths off the pace in the same event.

Penn Hills will compete in Section 3-3A this season. The Indians will be in with Baldwin, Central Catholic, Fox Chapel, Gateway, Plum and Shaler on the boys side. On the girls side, Penn Hills will be in a section with Baldwin, Fox Chapel, Gateway, Plum, Shaler and Oakland Catholic.

Lauren Sipple, who will compete in the 100 breaststroke, is looking forward to having another chance to compete in the pool. Her family has a long history with the sport and spent a lot of time at the Rosedale Swim Club while growing up. While softball is her primary sport, she also looks forward to trying to keep up with swimming.

“I always want to try and improve and stay in shape,” Sipple said. “I’m looking forward to having another season with the people I get along with so well.”

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