Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • 24

Page 24 Tuesday. November 30, 2004 ic (gazette Indiana sets sights on section crown Swimming By BILL BALINT Gazette Sports Writer "There are several good Double-A teams, but I'm very optimistic abouL us in the section. This is one of our 'up' years, especially for the girls.1 Mark less, Indiana coach Mark Hess suspects his solid Class AAA swimming teams would have had a shot at being section champions in Class AA. That cautious optimism can now give way to the reality of competition, and Hess can't wait-There are several good Dou-ble-A teams, but I'm very optimistic about us in the section," said Hess, whose teams each went 6-4 last year in their final Class AAA appearance. "This is one of our 'up' years, especially for the girls.

"The teams I've seen like Mount Pleasant and Burrell are good. But if you just look at the times, it's a lot easier to win a race in Double-A." Times from last year's state girls' meet back up Hess' words. The winning Class AAA time in Marion Center's Tracey Sarakon swam in the 200 medtey relay fast season. (Gazette photo by Jamie Isenberg) freestyle. He is the defending District 69-AA champion in the SOO and 100 freestyle events.

Senior Justin I lorrell finished third in die same events. Ligonier Valley operates a cooperative agreement, permitting Laurel Valley students to participate on the team. Juniors Alaina So obey, Maria Agostinone and Krista Thomas were all WPIAL qualifiers last season. Sophomore diver Kryste-na Brown finished 10th. Ligonier Valley Junior Ryan Thiel was second at the slate meet in the 50 Derry boys finished second En the 200-yard medley relay and fifth in the 400 freestyle relay at the WPIAL Meet, lunior Jacob Guiher was fifth in the 100 butterfly, and sophomore Gregg Shanefelt was also a WPIAL qualifier.

Junior Derek Marshall was 13th in diving. the race will have earned their spot by either finishing high at their district meet or by being the next fastest from around the state." Hess has loaded his non-section schedule with Gass AAA opponents in an attempt to prepare his squads for the hard work ahead in Section 4-AA, "1 want us to stay humble," said Hess. "We could schedule easy teams to build up our record, but we want to compete against the best teams we can find to make us better." Marion Center former coach l.ea Donahue returns to run the Stingrays program following a 12-year hiatus and is still getting the feel of Marion Center's personnel, "I am still learning names." said Donahue. "Hut I'm so charged to be back. The team is working very hard, and 1 am vury encouraged." Marion Center finished second at the District 69-AA boys' meet in the 200 medley relay and 200 -r I Debt ROSTERS Indiana Seniors Juice Billon, Bradley Cramer.

Abby Dotan, Chriala Duncan, HoBy Galonis. Sara Irwi. John Majoris. Bettor Minor. Zachary Norwood, Alexandra Schnerder, Oaniafle Sgro.

Marissa Umbet and Greg "reager juniors Adam AJ-Hebashi, Jenna Angek), Adam fiscus, Shawn Geeo. GeoHrey Guarino. Auden Healey, Megan Porter. Megan Seitock, Alyssa Shubra, Emily Shubra, Michael Soriano, Loran StaKeri and Danielle Watson Sophomores Bridget Bash, Caitta Etoabeth Boykiw. Sziah Rice, Emily Scon, Amber Setloclc.

Ataira Stipe alt. Ryan Sweiihetm. Rachel Umbel and Gatet Westan freshmen Julia Antotik, Alyssa Aul, Jennifer Beatty Becky Ooran. Cal-be Hames, Jessica Kennedy. Megan labeni, Kate Leach.

Shana Mascfiak, Sydney Potter. Brinany Bochna and Derek Watson Marion Center Seniors Melissa Barge stock. Black, Lindsay Brocit. Jason Fen-ton. Sreven Ham.

Samantha Maltik, Brandy Marshal). Christina Mauri, Christina Mills. Sdrati O'Sullivan. Nicholas Pellegrene, Wdl'am Smith and Samantha Zbur Juniors Bobby Krcuse. Ashley Mcars.

Whitney Mottotn. Tessa Saiokon, Corey Tost, Holly Van Dyke andTabnriaYagie Sophomores GeMa Brock. Hoi Canton. Alyssa Edwards. Kara Gallo.

tauren Gradwell. Alyssa Kisiday, Elizabeth Kund'a. Cftris Reel, Gma Ryen. Melody Thomas. Ashley Vay and Trfiany Wallace Freshmen Howard Bionson, Benjamin GandcLfi, Kyle Gromley-Gafdner.

Philip Leopold, Kayla Lowman and Aaron Secar SCHEDULES Indiana December 3 at Butler 6 at lUPTournament 9 NOfwin 16 at ConneUsviHe 30 Trinity January 6 Highlands 13 at Deer Lakes 15 at State College 20 at BjrreJ 27 East Allegheny February 3 at Deiry IDVaHey 12 iptfiana Tournament IS at Kiski Area 17 at Mt. Pleasant Marion Center December 6 at lUPTournament Bat Al toons 13 Holidaysbufg 15 Huntingdon 20 Central Cambria January 5 Central 8 at CtearfieWTaumament ID at Cambria Heights 12 Bishop McCon 24 at Richland 26 Tyrone 31 Somerset February 2 atWestmom Hilltop 7atUgonierValley the 11 swimming events easily topped the best Class AA time. Six of the 1 winning Class AA times were slower than the fifth-place Class AAA finisher. Returning state qualifier Abbey Doran leads the 29-mcmher girls' team along with fellow tri-cap tains lulie Uillon and Danielle Sgro. District qualifier Sarah Rice is another proven contributor.

Indiana will also field a full slate of girls divers, including veteran Christa Duncan. Hess is banking heavily on a crew of seven freshmen girls coming from the successful YMCA program. State champion Jennifer Beatty heads a group that features Jessie Kennedy and Brittany Rochna as immediate contributors. Numbers are a worry on the boys' side as the Indians have just 10 swimmers on die rosier. Seniors Brad Cramer and ohn Majoris join junior Geoffrey Guarino as rri-captains.

Underclassmen like flyan Swcithelm and WPLA1. qualifier Caret Weston will shoulder a heavy burden. The Indians also have a pair or newdivers, though gaining experience will be more difficult at theAA level. "One problem is that there will be fewer opportunities for our divers because so many AA schools don't have diving said Hess. "But at least they will get a chance during home meets.

"We lost a couple of good boys swimmers, but I think we'll be OK until next year when we'll get some new swimmers out of the program." Hess is thrilled about a change in the way that state qualifiers will be selected. Each district wilt receive a quota of qualifiers in each event, and the brackets will then be filled out based on the best times recorded by all other swimmers across the state. This practice will eliminate die use of a predetermined qualifying time. "In the past, you didn't get the best swimmers in every event," said Hess. This way, everyone in This Holiday Season let Marion Center National Bank show you how to keep plenty of ingle in your pockets for when Santa comes to town.

freestyle relay, but all lour members of those squads have graduated. Numbers are an issue on the hoys' side as there is little experience among the half-dozen or so competitors. The situation is brighter for the gitls as eight underclassmen placed in the District 6V9-AA Meet last season. In particular. Donahue is expecting big contributions from Whitney Mottorn.

Brandy Marshall and Lauren Gradwcll. "We have some strong swimmers that have set a goal of qualifying for the state meet and some others that want to qualify for districts." said Donahue. Saltsburg Though theTrofans do not field a team, a number of Saltsburg students have competed as individuals at the District 69-AA Meet with a great deal of success. A trio of Saltsburg boys continued that tradition last season. Senior Andrew Wylie qualified for the state meet by finishing second in the SOO freestyle.

Junior HOME EQUITY LOAM Marion Center (724) 397-5582 Willow Springs (724) 465-7921 Clymer (724) 354-4315 Punxsutawney (814) 938-0271 Daylon (814) 257-8213 Big Run (814) 427-2051 MEMBER FDIC rxcaey must ci item) cMi isHi. isctwreraMl riLliciliOfli, IW. erf i nwrtw rc t4 S500C II ill ttiszm (WL nMuvjaJ P'Odrty iM'ot toad inioranct (it lit ieqvire4. tvmnnW Evan Miller was third in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 100 butterfly. Sophomore Jonathan Taylor was fifth in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.

Derry The Trojans return a battery' of accomplished swimmers. The inrcH vtl lojn dctLTir.ii sgr; by liliM Trii ofir mitt GLENN BUSH FORD INC. 1 vE DON'T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH" RTE. 56 APOLLO, PA SLAM BQJNIK THE COIV1PETDTBON mm wm jii.t.t.ii j.i i i urn i i 'i mw i jiiii 37 371 373 Come In And Meet Our First String rii MO. It ijri Bee iHH.

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