Riverview’s Shoop, Moore swim independently in WPIAL pursuit

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, December 21, 2018 | 11:18 PM

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Beth Shoop brought Riverview back to the WPIAL swimming championships last March.

It had been 17 years since someone representing the Raiders raced at the meet. Brian Blackwell won a WPIAL title in the 200-yard individual medley as a senior in 2001 before the Riverview name fell silent at one of the region’s biggest high school swimming events.

But Shoop, now a sophomore, was determined to make the most of her first WPIAL experience, and she brought home an 11th-place finish in the 500 freestyle and a 15th in the 200 free.

“WPIALs last year was an amazing experience, and to have Brian there as a coach (with Seneca Valley) was special,” Shoop said. “He is in the school’s hall of fame, and to see all that he accomplished, it’s really cool. It was a great feeling to be able to bring Riverview back to WPIALs. There’s so much energy there.”

Shoop again will swim independent of a team, one of several such competitors throughout the WPIAL. But she is not alone in representing Riverview.

Freshman Caitlyn Moore, the daughter of Gateway swim coach Jonathan Moore, is hoping to qualify for WPIALs.

“I knew going into this season I would have someone else from Riverview to swim with,” said Moore, who trains with Shoop at Fox Chapel High School.

“(Beth) did a great job last year, and I can look to her for support. I can ask her anything, and she will help me. I am excited to see what I can do this year.”

Shoop and Moore also train and compete for the Fox Chapel Killer Whales club program. With many of their Killer Whales teammates also members of the Fox Chapel high school team, they never feel alone.

“The support is incredible from all the swimmers and coaches,” Shoop said. “Being a swimmer from a different school, it could easily be a different feeling, but that’s not the case here. They are so welcoming. ”

Each independent WPIAL swimmer must attempt a qualifying time in his or her event or events during any regularly scheduled and sanctioned WPIAL dual meet at the consent of the two competing schools.

The timing of the swimmer can occur during an official individual event, between events or after the meet.

The maximum number of meets allowed, including the last-chance events at the end of the regular season, is 18.

As with those on full teams, independent swimmers are eligible to go after a qualifying mark in every individual event but are permitted to compete in no more than two at WPIALs.

“Beth and Caitlyn both have big goals this season,” said Cindy Woods, a coach with the Killer Whales who works closely with Shoop and Moore in their high school pursuits.

“Beth is so focused and driven to do better at WPIALs this season and possibly make it to states. Caitlyn had been dealing with a back injury, but she’s come back and practiced really well for the past couple of months. We have high hopes for her this season.”

Shoop hit her qualifying marks in the 200 and 500 frees when Fox Chapel swam Pine-Richland on Tuesday. Her 200 time was faster than at WPIALs last season.

“It was pretty exciting and a big relief to get those qualifying cuts,” said Shoop, who most likely will swim both events again at WPIALs.

“This year, it’s definitely my goal to get on the podium with a medal. My ultimate goal would be to make states. I’ve been working hard to lower my times. We’ll see what happens.”

Shoop and Moore will race again Jan. 8 at Fox Chapel when the Foxes host Canon-McMillan.

Moore came close to qualifying in the 50 free Tuesday. She is confident she will make it in the event as well as the 100 backstroke and 100 free.

“It’s something I really want to accomplish,” Moore said. “It’s frustrating at first when you don’t get it, but I know that if I continue to work hard, I will get it.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-388-5825, mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

Tags: Riverview