Penn Hills swimmers reload veteran program
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Friday, December 8, 2017 | 11:54 PM
After only losing a couple of key contributors from last year's team, the Penn Hills swimming program looks to utilize its team to make an impact at WPIALs and states this season.
The Indians return two state qualifiers — senior Stephanie Sipple and junior Kimani Gregory — as well as three-fourths of the boys 200-yard freestyle relay team that included Gregory and juniors Tommy Natalia and Glenn Hanna.
The Indians hope for a bigger impact from seniors Megan Hull and Rebecca Miller as well as juniors Alice Bowser, Emma Lintelman and Julie Mikita and sophomore Colleen Hoolahan.
“It just seems like we have a little bit more depth this season. We have kids that have swam year-round, so I think that will help a lot. They are all hard workers. We have good leadership with the seniors in Stephanie, Megan and Rebecca,” coach Cheryl Ciorra said.
Last season, Gregory finished second (44.57 seconds) in the 100 freestyle at the PIAA Class AAA Swimming and Diving Championships. North Allegheny's Mason Gonzalez took home the state title at 43.62, and the pair finished in the same spots at WPIALs.
At states, Gregory took ninth (50.61) in the 100 butterfly. She won the race at WPIALs with a time of 50.17.
Sipple, a Cleveland State recruit, finished in 15th place (57.45) in the PIAA 100 butterfly after taking third at WPIALs with a time of 57.14. She took seventh (5:08.51) in the 500 freestyle at WPIALs.
“I would love to get into the top ten or even the top eight to get on the podium. At this point in the season, I'm looking forward to enjoying my last season,” Sipple said.
“I have already committed to a college so I feel like there isn't a lot pressure, but I want to do well for myself.”
Last season, the boys 200 freestyle relay finished 16th (1:26.96) at states and sixth (1:27.45) at WPIALs. The relay team must replace the departed Isaiah Gregory.
“It will change things a little bit, but Glenn and Tommy will pull their own weight,” Ciorra said.
In his final season, Isaiah Gregory won the 100 breaststroke and finished second in the 50 freestyle at WPIALs.
He took sixth (56.85) in the 100 breaststroke at states and seventh (20.83) in the 50 freestyle.
Ciorra, who hopes to qualify all relay teams for WPIALs this season, has high hopes that Hoolahan can progress in her second season after being a WPIAL qualifier in the 100 breaststroke her freshman year.
Lintelman looks to qualify individually for WPIALs in the 200 and 500 freestyle, and Mikita swims the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly.
Other Indians include Hull (50 free), Miller (50 free), Hanna (50 free and 1500 free) and Natalia (50 free).
Ciorra also hopes to get contributions from freshmen Michael Lintelman, Dante Maffessanti and Lindsey Davis.
As Sipple focuses on her personal success in her final season, she hopes to provide the necessary leadership to help guide her teammates through the season.
“I want to get my team excited for every meet,” Sipple said. “I want everybody to have fun and do the best that they can.”
Andrew John is a freelance writer.
Tags: Penn Hills
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