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Mustangs too deep for Uniontown, 102-46

By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read
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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

Uniontown’s Evan Klatt (front) and Laurel Highlands’ Daniel Schiffbauer swim in the boys’ 200-yard free style event during Monday’s non-section meet at Laurel Highlands High School.

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Uniontown's Jonathan Sharp swims in the 100-yard butterfly Monday's non-section meet at Laurel Highlands High School. Sharp finished second in the race, but won the 50 freestyle in a WPIAL qualifying time of 23.20 seconds.

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Laurel Highlands' Daniel Keith swims the boys' 200-yard individual medley during the Mustangs' non-section meet against Uniontown Monday at Laurel Highlands High School.

Most everyone involved in Monday’s non-section swim meet between visiting Uniontown and the Mustangs couldn’t think of a better team to christen Laurel Highlands’ new pool than the rival Red Raiders, and the overflow crowd was not disappointed as the home team had too much depth in a 102-46 victory.

“It’s a brand new pool so every time someone finished first it was a pool record,” a smiling Laurel Highlands coach Ed Yauger said. “The Laurel Highlands School District has been working with us. To have this much accomplished, it’s a miracle.

“(To open at home against Uniontown) is nice because they’ve been so nice to us.”

The meet started with two divers bringing the best out of the other with the Mustangs’ Theo Skoric just slipping by Uniontown’s Braden Carei, 267.75-267.60.

“It’s always close,” Skoric said of his match-up with Carei. “We’ve been training together for close to two years.”

Skoric crushed his personal best of 188 points set last season, as did Carei, who beat his previous PR by 80 points.

Both divers commented on performing at the new pool.

“The boards are very nice,” said Carei.

“The boards have a lot more bounce to them,” said Skoric. “The water is really nice. Not too cold, it’s a decent temperature.”

Both divers also participated in the pool. Skoric swam the freestyle in the 200 medley relay that produced a WPIAL qualifying time of 1:53.15 and was the second leg of the 200 freestyle relay that finished in a qualifying time of 1:38.14. He also won the 100 freestyle in 56.84 seconds.

“When I first started, I had to (swim events) to fill in the slots. Now, I’m trying to qualify. The 50 and 100 freestyle is what I’m good at,” said Skoric.

Carei participated on the Red Raiders’ 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and did the 200 individual medley to keep busy.

“We only have six boys so they put us in where they need us,” said Carei.

The Mustangs’ Logan Knoyer set a school record on the first leg of the 200 freestyle relay — won by the Mustangs — with his time of 22.12, a mere .06 better than Justin Kostelnik’s mark set in the same race. Knoyer also won the 200 freestyle (1:52.34) and 100 butterfly (56.16) in WPIAL qualifying times.

Laurel Highlands’ Daniel Keith won the 200 IM in 2:19.58 and Brandon Thomas touched the wall first in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.04). Both were qualifying times. Thomas also had a qualifying time of 23.44 seconds in the 50 freestyle.

The Red Raiders’ Jonathan Sharp won the 50 freestyle in a qualifying time of 23.30 seconds. Teammate Chase Bowen won the 500 freestyle in 6:08.21. 

Both coaches said the meet allowed the new swimmers to get used to the flow of a meet.

“It was good from them to get used to the atmosphere, get used to the flow of a meet,” said first-year Uniontown coach Marissa Gall. “So many of them are new. It was a learning experience.

“They did really well tonight. I’m really happy.”

Uniontown (0-1) travels to Greensburg Salem tonight and hosts Canon-McMillan on Thursday.

“We have 22 new swimmers. They should a lot of improvement. I’m looking to fill the gaps left with graduation,” said Yauger.

Laurel Highlands was to face Greensburg Salem Thursday, but the meet has been rescheduled in January.

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