Strong Showing For Tigers at New Year’s Challenge At Bucknell
The North Allegheny Swimming and Diving Team traveled to Bucknell University this weekend to compete in the seven-team New Year’s Challenge invitational meet. This was a chance for the team to swim and dive in the same venue where the PIAA championships are held and to compete against some of the strongest high school teams in the state. The event was held following the most grueling two-week period of practices during the holiday break from school.
The NA girls finished in 4th place overall and the boys finished in 2nd place overall.
Although the team only sent two divers to the meet, they made the most of the opportunity with an impressive showing. The NA girls’ divers placed as high as possible with junior Christina Shi taking 1st place (502.15 pts) and freshman Lola Malarky taking 2nd place (404.55 pts). The diving competition format included Preliminaries, Semifinals, and Finals. The NA girls lead throughout each phase of the competition.
The girls’ swimmers had a solid showing during the competition. Junior captain Lexi Sundgren won both the 200 Free and 500 Free events. Junior Delaney Kennedy placed 4th in the 200 Free and 8th in the 100 Free. Sophomore Natalie Sens had a 6th place finish in the 200 IM and a 6th place finish in the 100 Breast. Junior Vivien Li placed 6th in the 100 Back and 7th in the 100 Fly. Freshman Ava Sharar finished 6th in the 500 Free and Junior Mikayla Tieppo finished 7th in the 500 Free. Senior captain Isabella Dietz finished a solid 8th in the 200 IM and 10th in the 100 Breast. Sophomore Greta Mott finished 9th in the 100 Free and 10th in the 100 Back.
For the relays, the girls placed 5th in the 200 Medley Relay, 5th in the 200 Free Relay, and 5th in the 400 Free Relay.
Vivien Li was named the girls swimmer of the meet by the coaches for her great swims.
The boys swim team results were led by sophomore William Gao who placed 2nd in the 100 Back and 3rd in the 100 Fly. Junior Zachary Jubeck finished 4th in the 200 Free and 6th in the 100 Fly. Junior Ben Gavran placed 4th in the 100 Free and 7th in the 200 IM (an off event for him). Junior Eliot Maravich finished a strong 5th in the 500 Free and 7th in the 200 Free. Senior captain Stewart Messer tied with senior Jacob Yarosz for an impressive 6th place finish in the 100 Breast. Freshman Grant Regule placed 9th in the 50 Free. Senior captain Ethan Berty placed 10th in the 200 Free. Senior Hayden Klein finished 10th in the 100 Fly. Sophomore David Shi finished 10th in the 200 IM. Freshman Nicholas Klein swam well in the 500 Free to finish in 10th place.
For the relays, the boys placed 5th in the 200 Medley Relay, 5th in the 200 Free Relay, and 7th in the 400 Free Relay.
Freshman Andrew Li was named the boys swimmer of the meet by the coaches for his outstanding swims.