Pine-Richland swimmers hoping for medal haul at WPIAL meet

By: Jerin Steele
Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The most exciting time of the year is nearing for local high school swimmers with the WPIAL championships kicking off and Pine-Richland will be well represented.

Defending 100 breaststroke champion Sarah Anne Shaffer leads the way, but Pine-Richland coach Pete Barry believes there’s potential for multiple district medal winners and state qualifiers for the boys and girls teams when the district meet commences at Pitt’s Trees Pool on Feb. 29.

Shaffer enters the breaststroke as one of the favorites and will swim the 200 IM as well.

“In the middle of the season, she was having a bit of a rough go because I think she had a lot on her mind, but in the last few weeks, she’s figured it out and got her feel and stroke back,” Barry said of Shaffer. “She’s got the timing in her stroke back. I think she was trying too hard and the breaststroke was a little off, but after Christmas break, we went up against North Allegheny and I think that helped her restore her feel for the water. She’s looking really good in the water right now.”

Freshman Alison Schomaker and sophomore Riley Shafer have also qualified for the breaststroke and IM. Both have times competitive enough to challenge for a spot at states.

“Alison Schomaker has done very well as a freshman and Riley Shafer has really come on in the second half of the season, so we’re hoping to get all three to states,” Barry said. “It’s kind of funny that they all swim the same events.”

Junior Anna Schomaker and freshman Bree Arthur qualified in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Freshman Brooke Rupert made it in the 200 freestyle.

Two divers met qualifying scores junior Kendyll Jerry and freshman Reyah Griffen. The Class 3A WPIAL diving championships were scheduled for Saturday at North Allegheny on Saturday, which was past the deadline for this edition.

All six relay teams made the cut between the boys and the girls.

“Our stronger relays will be the freestyle for both boys and girls,” Barry said.

The butterfly is the deepest event on the boys side with four qualifiers.

Senior Reece Rupert leads the way with younger brother Gavin Rupert, a junior, right behind him on time. Sophomore Andrew Kirkpatrick and freshman Cameron Wincko also qualified.

Reece was a state qualifier in both the butterfly and backstroke last year.

“Reece Rupert we’re thinking can get out to states again in the 100 fly,” Barry said. “The backstroke is not a longshot either. Fly is a stronger event for him, but we’re hoping he can get top eight in the backstroke as well. He should be top 10, but we’ll see if he can go up a couple places from there. We have two other 100 fly swimmers (Gavin Rupert and Kirkpatrick) that have a chance. It’d be great to get three out there to states.”

Gavin will race the 100 freestyle for his second individual event, while Kirkpatrick will compete in the 500 freestyle.

Those that qualify out of WPIALs will advance to the PIAA swimming and diving championships March 13-16 at Bucknell.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Pine-Richland