Belle Vernon’s Spekis posts WPIAL’s top time in 100 breaststroke

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, January 17, 2019 | 4:54 PM

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Belle Vernon swimmer Robert Spekis has lofty goals and is off to a speedy start.

Spekis, a senior, led WPIAL Class AA in the boys 100 breaststroke (1 minute, 1.02 seconds) through Tuesday’s meets. He is defending WPIAL champion and meet record holder (57.80).

He looks forward to rising to the top of the podium at the PIAA championship meet after placing third last season.

He ranked 10th in the 200 individual medley (2:06.54), in which he also is reigning WPIAL champion.

Spekis, a member of the Belle Vernon Swim Club, got a boost at the East Speedo Winter Junior Championships in North Carolina in early December, posting his third-best time in the 100 breaststroke (58.90).

His first national meet, he said it was a great way to kick off the season. The West meet was in Texas.

Spekis, who is 6-foot-3, would like to continue his career in college. He is receiving a lot of interest from NCAA Division III schools.

With improvement, he hopes Division I programs will start noticing.

Matt Ramey coached Spekis with the Belle Vernon Swim Club and said he is a natural.

“His stroke and form in the water seem almost effortless,” Ramey said. “His ability is aided by his lean and long build, which (allows) him to almost slip through the water.”

Spekis also shines outside the pool. He serves as class president and a drum major with the band, among other activities.

“He seems to pick up things easily,” Belle Vernon coach Rob Reda said. “He’s very coachable (and) gets A’s in class.”

Belle Vernon band director Mark Surovchak is impressed by how Spekis fits everything in.

“He’s done a remarkable job at balancing his schedule (and) giving nothing less than 100 percent,” Surovchak said.

Spekis is one of two standouts for Belle Vernon.

Sophomore Ian Shahan, the defending WPIAL champion in the 100 backstroke, tops the WPIAL in the 50 freestyle (21.38), 100 freestyle (46.72), 100 backstroke (54.63) and 100 butterfly (53.76).

Spekis said he and Shahan push each other.

Reda believes it is the first time the Leopards have had two outstanding swimmers in one season.

With the duo leading the way, the Leopards (2-0 in Section 5-AA) look like a serious contender for their first WPIAL title. They placed third in the WPIAL and sixth in the PIAA last season.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Belle Vernon