Penn-Trafford teams ready to dive into season

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, November 27, 2017 | 5:36 PM

Once again, diving will be a strength for the Penn-Trafford boys and girls swimming teams.

Junior Paige Kalik, sophomore Victoria Woodley and junior Logan Sherwin, a boys diver, all earned medals at the WPIAL Class AAA championships last season.

Senior Rose Mizak competed.

Kalik placed fifth and went on to finish sixth at the PIAA championship.

“We contribute a lot of points, and having the majority of us competing (with) improved dives will be a big help, especially against Franklin Regional and Hempfield,” Kalik said.

The Warriors will take on Hempfield in the Section 1-AAA opener Jan. 4 and Franklin Regional in a nonsection meet Jan. 9.

The Warriors will kick off the season Dec. 12 against Plum, the first of three nonsection duals slated that month.

The Penn-Trafford girls squad is defending section champion, and Kalik said defending that title is probably the biggest and toughest goal. The Warriors placed seventh in the WPIAL.

Sherwin said taking the section crown is among the boys' goals as well. That squad came in ninth at WPIALs last season.

In swimming events, both teams look strong.

The girls lost Emma Winchell — a freshman on the IUP women's team — but welcome back every one else from the 200-yard freestyle relay that placed fourth in the WPIAL and made it to states.

Sophomore Corina Paszek, senior Rachel Sich and junior Hannah Muro also were in the 400 freestyle relay that placed sixth in the WPIAL.

Senior Isabella Toocheck, junior Marissa Anderton and sophomore Amanda Graves have WPIAL championship experience in the 200 medley relay.

Freshman Alyssa Fligger shows promise.

For the boys, senior John Sandala, junior Luke Babik, senior Zachary Snelling and senior Jacob Yant all return from the 400 freestyle relay that placed eighth at the WPIAL championship.

Sophomore Michael Vareha, sophomore Nick Graziano and junior Jordan Prokopec come back, and freshmen Austin Prokopec and Ben Yant likely will contribute right away.

Dave Babik coaches both teams and expects them to improve.

“We are hoping to build on our results from last year,” he said.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford