Maria Costa helps Cathedral Prep swim team conquer North East Invitational
NORTH EAST ― It wasn’t exactly name-dropping Cathedral Prep swimmer Maria Costa engaged in Saturday.
It was ― if there is such a thing ― more like name-propping.
The junior, whether she knew it or not, praised Ramblers coach Sonya Whitman throughout her comments after the North East Invitational.
Prep, highlighted by a sweep of the all-girl meet’s three relay events, finished first in the team standings. The Ramblers repeated with 365 points.
The General McLane Lancers were second with 205.
Costa led off two of Prep’s three victories. She swam the backstroke leg of its 200 medley relay that won in 1 minute, 50.98 seconds, and also started its 200 freestyle relay which was timed at 1:40.29.
Costa, as an individual, also finished first for the meet’s 200 individual medley (2:09.24) and 100 backstroke (58.12).
She was honored with the meet’s outstanding performer award as its lone four-time victor.
There was zero shock who she credited for that happening.
“I’ve succeeded thanks to Sonya,” Costa said. “She helps us get ready for the competition, and then we just do it.”
Jaslene Cage, a freshman, was a triple winner for Prep. Her individual victory was the 100 breastroke (1:10.01).
‘The adrenaline was rushing’
The host North East Grapepickers had a notable winner Saturday.
A notable double-winner.
Anna Riedel swept first place for the meet’s freestyle sprint events. The junior, at 24.72, went down for first in the 50 and completed her laps in the 100 at 55.02.
Riedel’s victory in the 50 free was especially satisfying. While favored to win the 100, she started fourth for the 50's championship heat.
Riedel defeated Cage and Josie Dufala, the first and second seeds from Prep, and third-seeded Cassidy Swain from General McLane.
Cage was second to Riedel at 24.87.
“All the adrenaline was rushing (Saturday), so that was exciting,” Riedel said. “I’ve worked really hard in practice just to make sure I got to this point.”
Saturday saw Riedel put someone else on notice about her immediate plans for the 50 free. Someone who wasn’t even on a starter’s block aside her.
Riedel’s goal is to break Hannah Feucht’s team record of 24.35 for the 50 free.
Feucht graduated from North East in 2014. She was selected to the all-District 10 girls swimming/diving team that same year.
More: District 10 scoreboard: Erie-area swimming, bowling results for Jan. 8-13
Familiar diving duo
The gold and silver medalists for Saturday’s springboard competition was the same tandem who finished first and second for last season’s District 10 Class 2A meet.
Fairview seniors Elena Veres and Katie George dominated the field of 13 who competed ahead of the meet’s swimming events. Veres’ 11 attempts warranted 425.45 points from a five-judge panel, followed by George’s 408.65.
Veres placed 12th and George 20th for last March’s PIAA 2A competition at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.
Veres, despite that experience, said she was more nervous than expected about her initial meet appearance for the 2023-24 Tigers.
“Katie and I have to keep working hard,” she said. “We had a really great year last year, but you can’t get (passive) because everyone else is working just as hard as you are. Everyone’s got the same shot as you.”
“That’s what I keep in mind every day.”
Saturday’s bronze medalist was Kyra Guntrum. The Harbor Creek freshman recorded 364.65 points.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep swimmer Maria Costa MVP of North East Invitational
