Carlynton, Chartiers Valley swim teams show growth

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 12:54 AM

Previous Next

Previous Next

As the 2017-18 swimming and diving season gets underway, the fortunes of Carlynton and Chartiers Valley are looking up. Numbers have increased for both programs, and each has hope of getting multiple athletes to the WPIAL meet.

A look at the programs:

Carlynton

After not having any freshmen boys join the team last season, coach Michael Schneiderlochner got a large group of ninth-graders this season. So many, in fact, that this is the first time he has had more than 12 boys on the team.

That means he should be able to put three swimmers in each event during dual meets.

“If you can put three boys in every event and two boys relays in every one of the relays, then other teams who can't do that are at a disadvantage,” Schneiderlochner said.

More than numbers, the freshmen brought talent. Enough that, Schneiderlochner said, some of them will be his top swimmers in several events. He expects Marco Lopez, Jack Mickle, Carson Gaines and Evan Walker to qualify for the WPIAL meet in multiple events.

Senior Kevin MacMurdo is the leading veteran, having qualified in the 200- and 500-yard free last season. Coulton Gaines, a junior, qualified in all three relays last season.

The girls team will be led by a strong junior class. Amy Ulizzi and Katie Kozy qualified in multiple individual events and relays. Isabel Irwin, Claire Schriver and Julie Carothers qualified in multiple relays.

Senior Juliette Lopez captains the team and qualified in two individual events and all three relays. Fellow senior Jess Vogliano returns to the team after sitting out injured last season.

The Cougars girls, too, will have several freshmen contribute. The combination of youth and experience has Schneiderlochner optimistic about getting several swimmers to the WPIAL medal stand.

“I think that's a real possibility,” he said, “and I hope we get a few of them to states.”

Chartiers Valley

John Nemeth is in his third season coaching the Colts, and he said although it is going a little slower than he might like, the team is headed in the right direction.

A year ago, he beefed up his roster to about 30. The number is comparable this season, and, most importantly, he said, it is comparable to other teams.

“I would kind of like to have some more boys, but I think that's the same with a lot of teams in the area,” Nemeth said.

The boys team will be anchored by James Hicken, Josh Gardner and Chris Santilli. Gardner and Santilli were part of the Colts' relay teams that qualified for the WPIAL championships, but Nemeth said the goal this season is to get them through in individual events.

Both are proficient freestylers, Gardner in the 100 and 200, and Santilli in the 50 and 100.

Four swimmers form the core of the girls team: senior Hannah Lindh, junior Victoria Prado and sophomores Christina Butler and Natalia Santilli.

Lindh qualified for the WPIAL meet in the 200 and 500 freestyle, and she's shooting for the school record in both. Prado qualified in the 100 back, and, Nemeth said, was close in the 200 and 500 free.

Nemeth also has big expectations for sophomore Sydney Jacobs, who came on strong at the end of last season.

“I'm pumped to see what she can do this year,” he said.

The challenge, as usual, will be competing in a brutal section with the likes of Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon. But Nemeth is focused more on individual goals until he can get the team to his desired level.

“It's definitely tough, but I never felt bad about it,” he said. “You want to race against the best and hold yourself to that standard. We're getting there slowly but surely.”

Chuck Curti is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at ccurti@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CCurti_Trib.

Tags: Carlynton, Chartiers Valley