No place like home for the Fillies in 100-75 win
New Uniontown swimming coach Marissa Gall got a little teary-eyed after Monday’s non-section meet at Laurel Highlands’ new pool, won by the Fillies, 100-75.
The performance pleased the first-year head coach, but it was returning to the place where she competed and coached that got her emotional.
“I really do miss Laurel Highlands. I coached with Ed (Yauger) for three years. They have some great swimmers,” said Gall, who caught her breath, then added, “I couldn’t ask for a better (team to open with). Laurel Highlands is a grade A team.”
The Fillies won all but two events on the way to their second win of the season. Several girls figured prominently in the home team’s success in the christening of the new pool, including senior Emily Yarish.
Yarish was the anchor on the winning 200 medley relay (2:04.96) and the first leg of the victorious 400 freestyle relay (3:56.02). She also won the 50 freestyle (23.62) and 100 freestyle (57.14).
Yarish got caught up in the excitement of the first meet at LH’s new pool against friendly rival Uniontown.
“This is absolutely fantastic. The team has nearly triple in size since my freshman year. The energy is different. It’s great,” said Yarish. “I can’t think of a better team (to open against in the new pool). All the parents are here. We swim together. Everyone gets along.”
Yarish also accomplished what she set out to do.
“The first step is to qualify (for the WPIAL meet). I wanted to make the time in the 50 freestyle,” said Yarish, which she did.
The Fillies’ Lexi Kostelnik had a strong meet, winning the 200 freestyle in a qualifying time of 2:01.43 and the 500 freestyle in 5:20.11, another qualifying time. She was also on the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Teammate Kristen Bane won the 200 IM in a qualifying time of 2:21.36, as well hitting the time in winning the 100 breaststroke (1:11.56). She was part of the winning 200 medley relay.
Getting those qualifying times pleased Laurel Highlands coach Ed Yauger.
“They’re all doing really great times. We had a lot of WPIAL qualifiers,” praised Yauger.
Uniontown had two first-place performances. Maeve Carei won the diving with 128.55 points and Elizabeth Klingensmith hit the wall first in the 100 butterfly. Klingensmith’s winning time of 1:03.90 was a WPIAL qualifying time.
“I had my best time in the 200 IM (2:23.50) and I had a qualifying time in the 100 butterfly,” said the smiling junior.
Klingensmith said she got an extra boost from swimming against the Fillies.
“Laurel Highlands has a lot of very good swimmers. They’re pushing me. So far, it’s working for me,” said Klingensmith. “It’s a nice pool. It feels easy to go through.”
Gall acknowledged her girls performances, especially a couple better performances.
“The girls medley relay and Elizabeth (Klingensmith) in the 200 IM did really well,” said Gall.