Feb 26, 2008 By The 2 min read

Action begins today Several local swimmers will see action today when the WPIAL Swimming and Diving Championships begin at the University of Pittsburgh’s Tree’s Pool.

Six events – 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle relay – will be contested today, with Class AAA competing from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Class AA will compete in the afternoon session running from 3-5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, five events – 100 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 400 freestyle relay – will be contested.

Southmoreland sophomore Matt Ramey will try to better his bronze-medal winning performance last year in the 500 freestyle. Ramey is seeded No. 2 behind Shady Side Academy senior Trevor Scheid with a time of 4:55.05.

Last year, Ramey came in at 4:53.94.

Other swimmers seeded in the top eight include:

-Southmoreland freshman Aurelia O’Keefe, No. 4, 100 fly (59.64 seed time)

-O’Keefe is seeded No. 5 in the 500 free (5:23.23)

-Connellsville junior Alan Nedley, No. 5, 100 fly (54.14)

-Belle Vernon sophomore Brendan Lacey, No. 6, 500 free (5:08.10)

-Belle Vernon junior Zachary Wardle, No. 7, 50 free (23.04)

-Wardle is also seeded seventh in the 100 free (50.88)

-Geibel Catholic freshman Kelsey Zimcosky, No. 8, 100 back (1:04.83)

In relay action, Belle Vernon’s team of Andre Maldonado, Jay Lewis, Lacey and Wardle is seeded No. 7 in the 200 freestyle relay.

Spectators will be permitted to enter Trees Pool at 8:45 for the morning session, and 1:45 in the afternoon. Admission is $8 for adults, and $4 for students.

In Class AA, the top four places automatically qualify for the PIAA finals, while in Class AAA, the top three spots receive an automatic bid. The remaining field will be decided by the PIAA.

The state championships will be held at Bucknell University from March 12-15.