Tigers Open Home Slate with Sweep of Bethel Park
by Bob Orkwis
After opening the 2023-2024 season with a pair of wins at the State College Invitational, North Allegheny hosted Bethel Park and the Tigers followed through with a sweep, with the boys winning 104-77 and the girls 93-83.
Fresh off the heals of a clean first, second, and third place sweep at State College Saturday, the Lady Tiger divers did it again. The trio of junior Lola Malarky (293), junior Juliet Hood (258), and sophomore, and new diver this year, Maggie Lapina (245) finished first, second and third against Bethel Park. All three Lady Tigers eclipsed their scores from the State College meet for new season highs after the second meet. On the boys side, Andrew Wasco secured the Win for the Tigers with a score of 171.
Swimming wise, the Tigers opened with a pair of wins in the 200-free relays. The girls’ team of Greta Mott, Tori Tieppo, Natalie Sens and Claire Bacu placed first, as did the boys team of Danny Lesinski, Gus Miller, Riley Williams and Grant Regule.
After Bethel Park won both 200-freestyle events, the Tigers rebounded with six wins in the next seven races.
Bacu (2:16.07) won the 200 IM. Emma Dietz (26.09) was first in the 50-free and Lesinski (22.62) won for the boys.
Angelina Li (1:02.62) won the 100-fly, followed by Dietz (56.78) and Regule with victories in the 100-freestyle events. Lesinski posted another win in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of (5:03.19).
The team of Miller, Dylan Seiford, Mason Shantz, and Zachary Totin won the 200-free relay with a time of (1:28.84). Owen Williams posted the final win of the evening for the Tigers with a 1:05.58) in the 100-yard breaststroke.
It was a pair of freshman who both showed improved times and significant efforts who were chosen as the Wright Automotive Players of the Meet.
Freshman Kieran Yeakal
For the girls, Kieran Yeakel, who swam the 200 and 400-freestyle races, as well as the lead leg in the 400-free relay took home the honors for the girls.
On the boys side, it was Matthew Lindblad (in photo above) who was tabbed. Lindblad finished second (2:10.20) in the 200-yard IM and followed that up with a fourth place finish in the 500-free.
North Allegheny hits the road to face Mt. Lebanon next Thursday before the Tigers return home on Dec. 20 to host Upper St. Clair. That meet starting at 5PM will be carried live on the North Allegheny Sports Network.