Latrobe swimmers, divers off to strong start as section meets commence

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, January 3, 2019 | 5:21 PM

The Latrobe girls swimming team (3-1) lost two top competitors, but regained one who missed last season because of an injury.

Taylor Miller (Ohio) and Rylee Jackson (West Virginia Wesleyan) are freshmen on college teams.

Miller placed third in 1-meter diving and Jackson third in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 freestyle at the WPIAL Class AAA championship meet last season. Both qualified for the PIAA championship, where Jackson came in seventh in the 50 freestyle and Miller 10th in diving.

Returning is senior Carrie Lenz.

Lenz, a Clarion recruit, finished seventh in the WPIAL and 13th in the PIAA in the 100 breaststroke in 2017 before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

“I am glad to be back in the water and feeling strong and giving my all,” Lenz said.

Lenz said her goals are to place in the top three in the WPIAL, earn a medal at states and break a school record.

She would like to make the podium in at least one relay event at WPIALs.

Senior Joyce Yin, junior Molly Bobik and sophomores Hannah Brewer and Gracie Wetzel return from relays.

Among divers, junior Jordyn Miller, Taylor’s sister, is back after placing 11th in the WPIAL in 1-meter last season.

“Jordyn has stepped up in recent meets,” Latrobe diving coach Trish Brownlee said. “I look at her as a team leader in my group.

“She really pushes her teammates as well as herself.”

Sophomore Lauren Bisignani will join the girls after competing with the boys last season because the Wildcats had too many girls divers. Bisignani placed 20th at the WPIAL boys championship.

“Lauren is improving,” Brownlee said. “(She) already qualified for WPIALs as a girl (diver).”

The Wildcats finished 13th in the WPIAL.

Things are looking up for the boys team (3-0-1).

Latrobe head coach Grey Arrigonie said for the first time in at least six seasons the Wildcats have a full lineup.

Senior David Marinchak, junior Corbin Makar and sophomores Donovan Lechman and Gavin Skwirut are among returning swimmers.

Both squads kicked off Section 1-AAA action Thursday against Armstrong.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Latrobe