With college decision behind her, Freeport swimmer Kira Schrecongost focused on medals

By: Michael Love
Monday, January 6, 2025 | 9:20 PM

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Soon after a trip to the 2024 PIAA Class 2A swimming championships, where she earned a silver medal in the 100-yard butterfly final against Bedford phenom and U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier Leah Shackley, Kira Schrecongost started a connection that eventually would become her future home in swimming and academics.

“(Duquesne women’s swim) coach David Sheets knew who I was because I swam against his daughters, but I wasn’t on (Duquesne’s) radar until almost the end of the season,” the Freeport senior standout and team captain said.

“The assistant coach at the time reached out to me. The following week after states, I go to a meet in Virginia, and coach Sheets’ daughters were there, too. I talked to him, and the next thing I know, I am on a visit the first weekend of April. It happened so fast.”

Schrecongost continued to forge a relationship with the Duquesne coaches and team members. It led to a verbal commitment before she finalized her decision during the early signing period in November.

“I was so excited to be able to sign with Duquesne,” Schrecongost said. “I made my decision, and I knew it was what’s best for me. That was the biggest weight off my shoulders. Finally signing, I could breathe again. I am happy the recruiting process is done.

“There is such a strong team culture (at Duquesne). I knew some of the girls on the team currently. I was just super excited about the opportunity to possibly be a part of the program.”

The completion of the process has given Schrecongost a relaxing feeling as she continues to produce top times in her final season with the Yellowjackets. Her times in her top events are at or near her times from the end of last season.

“My senior year has been going by so quickly. It’s now my graduation year,” she said. “It seems like just yesterday I was walking on the high school pool deck as a freshman.”

One of her many individual and team goals for the season is to win her third WPIAL title in the 100 fly.

She won the women’s open 100 fly title at the annual Pitt Christmas meet last month at Pitt’s Trees Pool with a time of 56.32. She edged out Mt. Pleasant star and N.C. State commit Lily King (56.57) for gold.

King’s specialty events are the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles.

“(King) is one of the best swimmers I know, and getting the chance to swim against her in my best events, it was a good stepping stone,” Schrecongost said.

Last year, Schrecongost won the Class 2A 100 fly WPIAL title with a time of 55.37 and took second at states (55.87).

“That (Pitt Christmas meet) switched some gears in my head,” she said. “I am on my best times. I’ve never been so consistent in my life with swimming this early in the season. It’s something good. I am just really looking forward to the rest of the season. I know I can be faster when it comes time for WPIALs.”

Schrecongost already has qualified for WPIALs in the 100 fly, 200 individual medley, 100 backstroke, 50 free and 100 breaststroke.

She hopes to make a move in the 200 IM after placing fourth in the event last year behind Hampton’s Lainey Sheets, Shady Side Academy’s Ava Jochims and Knoch’s Giona Lavorini.

The top three also were underclassmen last year, and Lavorini, the defending WPIAL champion in the 100 breast, is committed to Pitt.

“Kira is stronger at this point than she has been in the past,” said Freeport coach and Kira’s mother, Sheryl Schrecongost. “She’s feeling good, and she looks great in the water. I can see more confidence in her this season with her swimming ability and also with her leadership as a captain. She feels more relaxed, and that helps her swim better.”

The Freeport girls team is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Section 3-2A after last Thursday’s win over Northgate.

The Yellowjackets placed fifth overall at WPIALs last year, and Schrecongost helps lead a core group that includes WPIAL returnees in fellow seniors Mary Anne Altman, Isabelle Barton and Danielle Park; junior Joy Beck; and sophomores Kasey Schrecongost and Hannah Altman.

“We have good depth and balance where we cover a lot of events and score points,” Kira Schrecongost said. “We have a lot of strong girls back and some really good freshmen who are making an impact, too. We’re all excited about what we’ve accomplished already and how we’ve been working in practice. We have a lot of energy. I think our biggest section meet will be against Hampton (Jan. 23). That will be a good one.”

Kasey Schrecongost returns after earning a pair of WPIAL medals last year: a third in in the 100 back, and a seventh in the 100 free.

“Kasey has a lot of energy,” Kira Schrecongost said.

“She brings a good vibe to every practice and meet. WPIALs is a lot for a freshman, and once you get that under your belt, you have the feeling of what to expect when you get back, and Kasey is excited for the chance to do even better this year.”

Mary Anne Altman and Kira and Kasey Schrecongost were a part of the WPIAL silver-medal 200 medley relay, while those three, along with Parke, placed sixth as part of the 400 free relay.

Freeport doesn’t have a pool, but this year, the swimmers for the boys and girls teams are practicing together three days a week at Highlands High School.

“It is one of the best opportunities we’ve been given for our team,” Schrecongost said. “We have never practiced with each other before. It is great to be able to work on things as a team and bond more as teammates.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Freeport