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Lady Vikings solid throughout lineup in 115-68 victory

By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.Com 5 min read
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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Mount Pleasant’s Heather Gardner swims the freestyle leg of the 200 IM during Tuesday’s non-section meet at Connellsville. Gardner finished first in a WPIAL Class AA qualifying time of 2:18.45.

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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Frazier’s Alexandra Pohodich qualified for the WPIAL Class AA Championship during Tuesday’s non-section meet between Connellsville and Mount Pleasant at Connellsville. Pohodich’s time was 1:07.32. just .08 seconds below the qualifying standard.

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The Lady Falcons' Molly Maloy reaches back in the backstroke leg of the 200 IM in Tuesday's non-section meet against Mount Pleasant at Connellsville. 

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The Lady Falcons' Gracey Fiesta catches a breath during the 100 butterfly in Tuesday's non-section meet against Mount Pleasant at Connellsville. Fiesta won the race in 1:04.03.

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Mount Pleasant's SaraJo Gardner swims the opening backstroke leg of the 200 medley relay during Tuesday's non-section meet at Connellsville. Gardner and the Lady Vikings won the race in a WPIAL Class AA qualifying time of 1:56.24.

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Mount Pleasant's Cally Hixson turns her head to grab a breath of air during the 200 freestyle in Tuesday's non-section meet at Connellsville. 

CONNELLSVILLE — Heather Gardner and her Mount Pleasant teammates were solid throughout the lineup Tuesday night for a 115-60 non-section victory at Connellsville.

Gardner had four qualifying swims, including individual first-place finishes in the 200 IM (2:18.45) and 100 breaststroke (1:14.21). The senior was also on the victorious 200 medley relay (1:56.64) and 200 freestyle relay (1:50.43).

Gardner is the two-time WPIAL Class AA gold medalist in both the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, and won PIAA silver in both races, but at this point of the season the senior is not narrowing her event list to just those two races.

“We try to switch it up and let other teammates have a chance to qualify. Also, we try to match up with the other team,” explained Gardner.

Gardner knows how she wants her season to progress.

“I think there’s more pressure to get the (record) time. To go for the record is my main goal this year,” said Gardner. “Everything has to be perfect. I’m working on getting stronger under the water.

“The stroke count is a big thing, especially in the breaststroke.”

The record Gardner spoke of is the WPIAL Class AA mark of 23.10 seconds in the 50 freestyle held by Geibel Catholic graduate Emily Zimcosky. Gardner’s winning time last year was 23.24 seconds. Ironically, the two swimmers will be teammates next year at Liberty University with Zimcosky returning after being redshirted this year.

“I write down (the times) at the beginning of the season,” said Gardner.

Gardner advanced to the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke “A” final and the “C” final of the 100 freestyle last weekend at the 58th annual Pitt Christmas Meet.

“It was a good meet. There were older, college girls swimming in the meet,” said Gardner.

The 2020 Summer Olympics loom on the horizon, but Gardner has a to-do list to accomplish before any thoughts of seeking a spot in the qualifier.

“I’m taking it one day at a time. My next main goal is the county meet, then IUP (meet), the WPIALs and states. Then, after states, I’ll see,” said Gardner.

Ashlyn Hornick (50 freestyle, 26.65, WPIAL), Cally Hixson (100 freestyle, 1:00.88), and SaraJo Gardner (500 freestyle, 5:46.29, WPIAL; 100 backstroke, 1:05.33, WPIAL) all had first-place finishes for the Lady Vikings. Hornick, SaraJo Gardner, Reegan Brown and Hixson won the 400 freestyle relay in a qualifying time of 4:04.34.

Brown’s second-place time in both the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly qualified her for the WPIAL meet. McKenna Mizikar had a qualifying time in the 100 butterfly, as well.

Connellsville’s Molly Maloy finished second in the 200 IM (2:40.69) and 500 freestyle (6:25.69). The 200 medley relay (2:08.32) and 400 freestyle relay (4:13.86) also placed second.

Maloy’s goal is to return to the district finals after qualifying in the 100 butterfly and just missing in the 200 freestyle by under a second. She was on all three qualifying relays last year and helped the Lady Falcons record school records in all three.

“I hope to make it in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle. I’d like to get under a minute in the 100 butterfly and under two minutes in the 200 freestyle,” said Maloy.

The Lady Falcons’ Morgan Lukaesko won the diving competition with a WPIAL Class AAA qualifying score of 196.10 points. Gracey Fiesta won a pair of races, the 200 freestyle in 2:08.35 and 100 butterfly in 1:04.03.

Frazier sophomore Alexandra Pohodich was all smiles after her last race of the day because she qualified for the WPIAL Class AA Championship in 1:07.32, just .08 seconds under the standard.

“It was the perfect time. I didn’t think I’d make it. Of all things, this is a shock,” Pohodich said of her backstroke. “I tried to qualify for the WPIAL last year. This is the cherry on top of the cake. It’s a good way to end out 2019.”

Pohodich almost went 2-for-2, but her time of 1:00.66 in the 100 freestyle was about one second over the qualifying mark.

Pohodich only swims when Connellsville has a home meet, so her opportunities are limited.

“It does, especially last year. I felt I was pushing myself every meet,” responded Pohodich when asked if she felt the need to post a time each time she hits the pool.

Pohodich took center stage before the meet when she was asked to sing the national anthem. She had a bit of a bobble midway, but the large crowd picked her up and Pohonich finished out in grand style in strong voice.

Southmoreland’s Joselyn Busato qualified in the 100 butterfly with her time of 1:05. The senior has qualified in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle in each of the previous three years.

“It’s not my best, but I qualified,” Busato said of the butterfly. “My PR is 1:01 last year. I want to get under a minute and under 55 seconds in the 100 freestyle.”

With no official team, Southmoreland swimmers generally swim in Mount Pleasant home meets.

“I will say the spacing of races gets dicey sometimes,” said Busato. “It’s a mental game.”

Busato hopes to end her season as thousands around the state do, with a medal.

“I think the butterfly is my best medal shot. To make the medal stand at the county meet, that would be awesome,” said Busato. “States is always an end goal, but a bit unrealistic.”

The Lady Scots’ Julia Davis also attempted to qualify in the 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke.

“I did around my times. I just try to go out and qualify. I’m within several seconds,” said the sophomore. “This pool is a lot faster than Mount Pleasant (where Southmoreland generally swims). I’m always faster away from home.

“I’m pleased with myself, which is good. I’m one step closer to qualifying.”

The Connellsville boys return to the pool on Thursday, joining Laurel Highlands at Uniontown for a gathering of the county’s swimming programs.

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