Penn-Trafford swimmers aim to ‘be the best that they can be’ during rebuilding year

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 11:01 AM

It was another normal school day for Penn-Trafford swimming coach Dave Babik.

He taught biology during the day and then spent five hours in the evening coaching and teaching swimming.

It’s something he loves to do.

“Someone has to do it,” Babik said, who is working with a small boys roster this season.

The Warriors graduated Patton Graziano, who placed fourth in the PIAA in the 100 backstroke.

The boys were hit hard by graduation and three juniors who decided not to compete.

“We had one that had health issues, one that had conflicts with his schedule and one that just said he was not coming back,” Babik said. “So, this is a small boys team.”

Babik said he will lean on junior Aaron Burdell to lead the boys. He was part of the 200 freestyle relay team that finished ninth in the PIAA. He swims the sprints.

“Aaron is back, and he swam in the WPIALS and PIAAs. We have some kids that have swum before,” Babik said. “We need a couple boys to step up. If the boys could win half the meets, it would be great. We are up against it.

“So, we are just focusing on making each kid better, which is what we do every year. And if each kid gets better, a lot of times, we win.”

Babik said he likes the work ethic of junior Lorenzo Meade.

“He’s working with Aaron at a higher tier,” Babik said. “He could have chosen a lower tier, but he decided to stay with Aaron. That probably will pay off.”

The girls have a bigger roster.

Babik is counting on junior Laela Whetstone and sophomores Delaney Race and Faith Whipple to carry the team.

Whetstone and Whipple were WPIAL qualifiers. Whetstone has already qualified for WPIALs this season.

“We’re still a young squad,” Babik said. “We have a nice group of freshmen this season, so the future looks bright.

“It’s a big jump for freshmen from middle school. They need the mental aspect and they are getting better.”

Babik’s hope for the team is to “be the best that they can be.”

He added: “We’re looking down the road, trying to be patient with this young team so that in the next couple years, they have that experience, and they may become major players in the area.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford