Shaler swimmers set big goals for postseason meets

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, February 16, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Grace Melocchi has been swimming year-round since she was little. One of the long-term goals of the Shaler senior swimmer surfaced when she made it to middle school. With Melocchi’s form in the pool, a coach mentioned that she would have a realistic shot at setting the school’s record in the 100 breaststroke.

Melocchi set the school record in the event at the WPIAL championships last season by swimming a time of 1 minute, 8.87 seconds. That success motivated Melocchi to become more ambitious for her final season.

She would like to qualify for states and reach the podium at WPIALs.

“Setting the record meant a lot to me,” Melocchi said. “I had been thinking about that record for a good bit now. I had a coach in middle school tell me I should go for it to get that record. I can push myself to get that record.”

Melocchi will be part of a solid Shaler contingent competing Feb. 27-28 at Pitt’s Trees Pool at the WPIAL Class 3A championships. The Titans have set ambitious goals for the postseason.

In addition to the 100 breast, Melocchi qualified in the 200 IM and the 200 medley relay along with Ava Melocchi, Louise Basa and Kaysia Chelli.

Grace Melocchi said she would like to try cutting her time to 1:06 to qualify for states. During the offseason, Melocchi focused a lot more on weight training.

“It was definitely an adjustment. I had never lifted before,” Melocchi said. “After a while, it became easy.”

Senior Noah Lang, who finished fifth at WPIALs and qualified for states last season, would like to set a few more Shaler records before he graduates. Lang set the school record in the 200 IM at 1:55.5.

Lang has qualified for WPIALs in every event except for the 100 fly and 100 breast. He also teamed up with Albert Hastings, Jacob Amet and Tom Podgorski to be eligible for the 200 free relay.

“Personally, if I told myself my sophomore year that I only had one school record, I’d be disappointed in myself,” Lang said. “My plans were loftier two years ago. I think it’s time to finish the job. I’d like to break two more. I still have a dual meet, WPIALs and states to go.”

Lang said he would like the WPIAL to get as many swimmers to the PIAA podium in the 500 free as possible. Last season, the WPIAL ended up with four competitors on the medal stand.

“I like it because you get what you work for in the 500,” Lang said. “Whatever you practice beforehand, you’ll get in return in the 500. I find it rewarding as well. It’s a race you can’t just go all out the whole time. You have to have a race strategy or you’ll die in the last half.”

Basa, a freshman, qualified for WPIALs in the 50 free. She was also part of the 200 and 400 free relays that earned a spot. In the 200 free relay, Emily Miller was part of the quartet along with the Melocchi sisters and Basa.

Basa said she feels like she has adjusted to the rigors of the varsity schedule.

“It was hard work at first balancing school and swimming,” Basa said. “I would get home at 6 (p.m.) and still have homework to do. Eventually, I found a way to balance it and became better.”

Tags: Shaler