Local swimmers and divers advance to WPIAL Championships
The local area will be well represented over the next two weekends with a number of divers and swimmers qualifying for the WPIAL Class AAA and AA Diving and Swimming Championships. The divers will be in action on Friday and Saturday at Pine-Richland with three local athletes vying for a WPIAL medal. Uniontown’s Eric Hughes will dive in the boys Class AA competition while a pair of Connellsville divers, Colleen McLaughlin and Nicole Bucci, will participate in the girls Class AAA meet.
The WPIAL Class AAA and AA boys and girls swimming championships will be held on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.
Southmoreland’s lone swimmer is Ashley Yelinek, a qualifier in the girls Class AA 200 freestyle with a time of 2:02.09. Belle Vernon’s 400 freestyle relay qualified with a time of 4:03.07.
In boys Class AA action, Uniontown’s 200 medley relay team qualified with a time of 1:50.11.
Laurel Highlands has the most athletes in the swimming championships with four individuals in five races along with a boys relay team.
Sara Bonchosky qualified in two events. The senior made the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:00.56 and the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:01.77.
Kevin Collins advanced to the 100 butterfly with a time of 56.13 seconds. Adam Collins will be in the pool for the 100 backstroke after posting a qualifying time of 56.34 seconds. Zernie Parker will swim in the 100 breaststroke with a qualifying time of 1:03.26. Both Parker and Adam Collins have the third-fastest qualifying times.