Southmoreland’s Yelinek captures two medals

Feb 25, 2003 By The 2 min read

Though Southmoreland doesn’t have a swimming pool, senior Ashley Yelinek didn’t let that hold her back. The Lady Scot won two WPIAL Class AA medals last week at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Hall to advance to the PIAA Swimming Championships at Penn State University’s McCoy Natatorium on March 14-15.

Yelinek earned her first automatic berth with a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:58.69. She slipped under the PIAA wire by .03 seconds, finishing fifth in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:19.57.

Uniontown’s Brady Christopher was 17th in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:02.67. Christopher joined the team of Fran Smith, Aaron Moreau and Ron Milne earned a medal with an eighth place finish in the 200 medley relay in a time of 1:50.66. The 400 freestyle relay team of Rick Jenkins, Moreau, Milne and Christopher was 13th, but the 200 freestyle relay team was disqualified.

Lindsey Tiberio, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Tiberio, earned a single berth in the state meet with a second place finish in the 100 breaststroke. The senior placed sixth in the 200 individual medley for a second medal.

Belle Vernon had a number of swimmers in the girls Class AA championship, but no Lady Leopard was able to advance. Amanda Baker was the best finisher for Belle Vernon, placing 13th in the 200 freestyle. Natasha Puskavich was 15th in the same race.

Sarah Naylor finished 22nd in the 500 freestyle. The 200 freestyle relay team of Naylor, Puskavich, Jamie Paterline and Julie Lacey was 13th while the 400 freestyle relay team of Paterline, Lacey, Puskavich and Baker was 16th.

The team of Lacey, Brittany Molnar, Baker and Paterline was 19th in the 200 medley relay.

Connellsville’s Kyle Lilley had a busy two days, swimming on one relay and two individual races. Lilley was 13th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.04 seconds and 18th in the 100 freestyle with a time of 51.13 seconds. The 200 freestyle relay team of Lilley, Ryan Mastowski, Jeremy Keefer and Nathan Whoric was 21st.