Penn-Trafford swimmers off to strong start

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, December 17, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford’s swimming teams are off to a good start to the 2023-24 season.

The Water Warriors own wins against Gateway and Greensburg Salem, and coach Dave Babik has been impressed in the early going.

“Our win over Gateway is indicative of the strides we have made with our returning swimmers and freshmen,” Babik said. “We are looking to keep getting better as the season progresses.”

Babik, in his 32nd season as coach, said he counting on senior captains Megan Caskey and Katie Fligger to lead the way.

“Caskey is primarily a freestyler and can swim any distance from 50 to 500,” Babik said. “Fligger is a sprinter and also swims backstroke and butterfly.”

Sophomore Laela Whetstone is back after she qualified for WPIALs last year in the 50 freestyle. She also swims the 100 free and 100 backstroke.

“She is pretty good at everything else,” Babik said. “Our freshmen have looked very impressive so far. Delaney Race is a distance freestyler and breaststroker, and Faith Whipple is good at backstroke and butterfly.”

Others hoping to contribute are seniors Emma Bishop, Marissa Chobirko, Olivia Johnson, Saige Matrisch and Samantha Wolfe; juniors Caroline Davis, Mariel Wilson and Sophie Zorich; sophomore Gabby Alfieri; and freshman Madi Gavrish and Cienna Oien.

“The girls team is improved from last year and we are hoping to continue getting better,” Babik said. “Our boys’ team has been pretty good for years and are looking to keep up that tradition.”

Senior PIAA qualifiers Patton Graziano and Connor Alexander are looking for a big season.

Alexander and Graziano are returning captains and stars from last season. Both have multiple years of WPIAL and PIAA experience in the 100 freestyle.

“Patton is our 100 backstroke record holder and PIAA medalist,” Babik said. “Both of these boys can swim any event very well and are good leaders.”

Senior Gabe Yant was voted as a captain this year and excels in freestyle.

“Great strides have been made by junior Nick Truschel in breaststroke, and sophomores Aaron Burdell and Nick Marucci in freestyle events,” Babik said. “The boys are hoping to continue performing at the high level that has become expected of them.”

Penn-Trafford finished 10-1 last year.

Others hoping to carry the tradition include senior Jacob Alfieri; junior Chris Schadler; sophomores Weston Johnson, Nick Marucci and Lorenzo Meade; and freshmen Alex Haas, John Kunkle, Daniel Owoc and Daniel Semykin.

Penn-Trafford competes in Section 1-3A along with Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Hempfield, Latrobe and Norwin.

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.

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