Cathedral Prep swimming quartet wins PIAA Class 2A girls 200 freestyle relay
LEWISBURG ― The relays remained Cathedral Prep’s wheelhouse events during Friday’s PIAA Class 2A swimming and diving meet.
The Ramblers, whose consistent success in the group races goes back to the late 2010s, won one final and were second in two others of the four held at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium.
The program’s latest gold medalists went to senior Josie Dufala, junior Maria Costa and freshmen Kendal Johnston and Jaslene Cage. The foursome lived up to their status in the girls 200-yard freestyle relay.
Dufala anchored District 10’s champions to a comfortable victory when she set off their lane timer at 1 minute, 36.71 seconds. The Ramblers were more than two seconds faster than the second-place quartet from District 7 Springfield Township (1:38.73).
Earlier, Dufala nearly anchored Prep’s 200 medley relay to a minor upset. The Ramblers led most of that final’s first three legs until Lily King anchored District 7 Mt. Pleasant to the title at 1:46.78.
Prep followed at 1:47.05.
Success breeding success is the reason Prep’s swimmers continue to contend in PIAA relays, according to Dufala.
“There’s a tradition that’s been set by so many here throughout the years,” she said. “You just want to exceed it by giving it all you’ve got. And being on Prep’s first female relay (state champion) was the ultimate goal for me.”
Coach Sonya Whitman shuffled Prep’s starters for Friday’s 200 free relay final, based on negative vibes she sensed in the two freshmen. While Costa and Johnston remained the Ramblers’ first and second legs, Cage was switched to the third leg and Dufala the new closer.
“Those girls, they brought it all day,” she said. “I think some of them were disappointed in their individual swims, but they put their fears and doubts aside (in the 200 free relay) and demanded more of themselves.”
Raimy reigns for Prep boys
Jack Raimy enjoyed Friday the most among Prep’s boys, who are the 2A meet’s two-time defending champions. The Ramblers have won three crowns since 2019.
Raimy led off Prep’s 200 medley relay that finished second at 1:33.33 to Mt. Pleasant’s 1:32.57. The Ramblers’ backstroke starter was followed by Matthew Hinman (breaststroke), Evan Calvert (butterfly) and Colin Troutman (freestyle).
Raimy also placed fourth in the 200 individual medley (1:51.87). The sophomore credited some of his success to December’s participation in the Speedo Winter Junior Championships’ East meet at Columbus, Ohio.
“That was a really fun to see a lot of fast swimming,” Raimy said. “It was good to get that under my belt and be able to say it was a good experience.”
Cattron era concluding
Sharon’s Mark Cattron and Nate Dorsch each medaled in the boys 200 free final.
Cattron, a senior bound for St. Bonaventure University’s Division I program, placed fourth at 1:40.94.
Dorsch, a sophomore who’s considered Cattron’s heir, followed in sixth at 1:44.04.
“Mark’s meant everything to this program,” Sharon coach Bruce Tomasello said. “All the younger swimmers coming up through the program, they idolize him. Plus, he’s been wonderful to coach.”
Tomasello mentioned that Cattron’s last meet as a varsity swimmer also could be his last, too. He said thoughts of resigning as coach of the Tigers have crossed his mind.
Corry grad’s record gone
One of Erie County’s all-time greats had his PIAA record erased Friday.
Mt. Pleasant’s David Mutter established a new standard for the 2A boys 100 fly. The junior’s qualifying time of 47.58 bested the meet mark of 48.01 that Corry graduate Brent Benedict achieved in 2015.
Mutter’s mark lasted roughly eight hours. He eclipsed it with a title-winning time of 47.52.
Benedict was voted small-school male swimmer for the meet that year. He briefly competed for Virginia Tech and concluded his college career at Gannon University.
Fox finishes diving career
Fairview’s Aari Fox medaled for the third and final time in the boys diving competition.
The senior, who also finished first in as many district meets, placed sixth with 368.15 points over 11 attempts. Interboro’s Caleb Arnot (509.10) topped the 16-man field.
“I went into (Friday) with a fun mindset,” Fox said. “This is the last one, so wanted live it up. I’m happy with that and, hey, I got a baseball game (Friday).”
“The diving was fun, but baseball is my love.”
Fox has one season left on the diamond with the Tigers. He’ll be in Slippery Rock University’s dugout this time next year.
Fox was lone medalist for the district trio that qualified for Friday’s meet. Prep’s Ted Terrizzi finished 18th (222.60) and Harbor Creek’s Isaac Smith was 22nd (126.35).
Just competing Friday was notable for Smith. He never seriously pondered diving, but gave it a shot based on persistent lobbying from coach Maxine Lundberg.
“It was fun getting to know the kids and their experiences,” Smith said. “Seeing how they dive, and how good they are, is a nice way to learn.”
Earlier this season, Smith said he was unsure if he’d continue to simultaneously compete in diving and swimming come future Harbor Creek seasons.
Not anymore.
“I know I can do well in (diving), even if (Friday) wasn’t the greatest,” Smith said. “I can see myself doing well in both.”
Lingering large-school drought
District 10, for the sixth straight season, didn’t have a top-eight medalist in the Class 3A meet.
J.J. Gowetski recorded the best result for any northwestern Pennsylvania participant over Wednesday and Thursday’s competition. The Meadville junior finished 11th in the girls 100 fly at 56.91.
The district’s last 3A medalist was Bobby Bolmanski in 2018. The McDowell graduate placed sixth in the boys 500 free.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
PIAA Swimming Results
Overall winners and District 10 results for Friday’s PIAA state finals at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium in Lewisburg. The top eight individuals and relays in each event received medals:
Boys
200-yard medley relay: 1. Mt. Pleasant (Logan Snively, David Mutter, Joe Gardner, Gunner Probst) 1:32.57; 2. Cathedral Prep (Jack Raimy, Matthew Hinman, Evan Calvert, Colin Troutman) 1:33.33;6. Franklin (Kye Winslow, Nathan Pfennigwerth, Camden Smith, Jordan Stumpf) 1:36.61; 19. Fairview 1:43.31; 26. Titusville 1:45.38
200 freestyle: 1. Preston Kessler (Indiana) 1:38.57; 3.Mark Cattron, Sharon 1:40.94; 8. Nate Dorsch, Sharon 1:44.04; 22. Callum Snider-Mills, Cathedral Prep 1:50.48; 23. Jordan Stumpf, Franklin 1:50.51; 27. Owen Carson, Cathedral Prep 1:51.50; 30. Logan Osterwise, Grove City 1:52.05
200 individual medley: 1. Joseph Gardner, Mt. Pleasant 1:49.01; 4. Jack Raimy, Cathedral Prep 1:51.87; 12. Drew Brown, Cathedral Prep 2:01.52
50 freestyle: 1. Luke Lamb, North Catholic 20.44; 7.Nathan Pfennigwerth, Franklin 21.83; 11. Caleb Stover, Oil City 21.87; 21. Colin Troutman, Cathedral Prep 22.47; 29. Lucas McCreadie, Grove City 23.20
100 butterfly: 1. David Mutter, Mt. Pleasant 47.52 (PIAA RECORD); 6.Camden Smith, Franklin 50.53; 8. Joe Herman, Titusville 53.06; 18. Finn Jensen, Fairview 53.98
200 freestyle relay: 1. Indiana, Pennsylvania 1:25.38;11. Oil City 1:29.55; 18. Cathedral Prep 1:30.99
One-meter diving: 1. Caleb Arnot, Interboro 509.10;6. Aari Fox, Fairview 368.15; 18. Ted Terrizzi, Cathedral Prep 222.60; 22. Isaac Smith, Harbor Creek 126.35
Girls
200-yard medley relay: 1. Mt. Pleasant (Kiersten O’Connor, Kaylie Korpiel, Maddie Barrick, Lily King) 1:46.78; 2. Cathedral Prep (Maria Costa, Jaslene Cage, Ellie Natemeier, Josie Dufala) 1:47.05; 14. General McLane (Riley Amory, McKayla Hargest, Emma Shade, Cassidy Swain) 1:54.45; 20. Fairview (Nina van Helden, Maddie Weber, Rachel Rospierski, Jillian Dennis) 1:55.03; 31. Corry (Rachel Moats, Alli Goodwill, Mackenzie Spence, Mahra Goodwill) 1:58.38
200 freestyle: 1. Eliza Miller, Kiski Area 1:51.13;17. Mollie Massella, Slippery Rock 1:59.59;28. Logan Wilson, Sharon 2:02.18; 30. Katherine Quinn, General McLane 2:02.94
200 individual medley: 1. Kimberly Shannon, Lewisburg 2:00.67;6. Maria Costa, Cathedral Prep 2:06.31; 23. Kallie Smith, Oil City 2:18.86; 22. Ellie Brugger, Cathedral Prep 2:18.68
50 freestyle: 1. Kiersten O’Connor, Mt. Pleasant 23.48; 7.Josie Dufala, Cathedral Prep 24.75; 14. Anna Riedel, North East 24.62; 16. Kendal Johnston, Cathedral Prep 25.21; 18. Jaslene Cage, Cathedral Prep 24.82; 21. Raely FaJohn, Slippery Rock 24.89; 31. Madison Crosscut, General McLane 25.77
100 butterfly: 1. Leah Shackley, Bedford (PIAA RECORD) 50.29;9. Ella Stillwagon, Grove City 58.76; 15. Ellie Natemeier, Cathedral Prep 1:00.14; 17. Mollie Massella, Slippery Rock 1:00.12; 25. Emma Shade, General McLane 1:01.28
200 freestyle relay: 1. Cathedral Prep (Maria Costa, Kendal Johnston, Jaslene Cage, Josie Dufala) 1:36.71;14. Slippery Rock (Season Grant, Maddy Gauselman, Mollie Massella, Raely FaJohn) 1:41.99;21. Fairview (Addison Mang, Rachel Rospierski, Nina van Helden, Jillian Dennis) 1:43.75; 27. North East (Morgan Wilhelm, Kyla Aspden, Chelsea Burch, Anna Riedel) 1:44.80;28. General McLane (Quinn O’Lone, Madison Crosscut, Riley Amory, Katherine Quinn) 1:45.05
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep girls win 2A 200 free relay at PIAA swimming meet
