Dankle, Detwiler make podium in Class AAA finals
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin junior Jael Dankle finished fifth in the 500 freestyle in a personal-best time of 5:06.28 Friday morning at the WPIAL Class AAA Swimming Championships at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.
Connellsville senior Tatum Detwiler pulls through the water in the first 25 yards of the 100 breaststroke during Friday's WPIAL Class AAA Swimming Championships at Trees Pool. Detwiler finished fifth 1:03.52.
Connellsville senior Carlee Shreve swims in the 500 freestyle during Friday's WPIAL Class AAA Swimming Championships at Trees Pool. Shreve moved up to 13th spot by shaving nine seconds of her seed time after touching the wall in 5:15.65.
Connellsville's Tatum Detwiler takes off from the block to start the 100 breaststroke in Thursday's WPIAL Class AAA Swimming Championships at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool. Detwiler broke her school record with a time of 1:03.52.
PITTSBURGH — Albert Gallatin’s Jael Dankle and Connellsville’s Tatum Detwiler made the podium Friday morning at Trees Pool as fifth-place finishers in the WPIAL Class AAA Swimming Championships.
Dankle, a junior, finished the 500 freestyle in 5:06.28, 14 seconds faster than her seed time.
Detwiler, a senior, swam in the final heat of the 100 breaststroke, touching the wall in a school-record time of 1:03.52.
Dankle was in the next-to-last heat, moving past four swimmers to get into the medals. Dankle place eighth in the event last year.
“I would’ve been pushed a little harder in the in the fast (final) heat, but I try not to rely on other people. I want to control how fast I go,” said Dankle, who lowered her PR by two seconds.
Dankle was satisfied with her tempo throughout the 10-lap race.
“My splits were decent. I’m happy with it,” said Dankle. “I wanted each 50 (yard lap) to be a little faster than it was, but, overall, I was happy.”
Dankle dealt with an equipment issue from the start of the race.
“I was kinda distracted. My left goggle came off when I dove in. I tried to push (the lens) back in position with my (left) arm when I was swimming,” explained Dankle. “It was horrible.”
Dankle had Detwiler as her lap counter.
“I asked (Tatum). She was so nice. She did it so good,” complimented Dankle.
Detwiler was third after the first 50 yards, but slipped back in the final lap.
“I was out of rhythm in the first 25 (yards). I was pushing every stroke. I had a really long glide (into her first turn). I knew I was off from there,” said Detwiler. “But, I’m happy. I beat my time and got a medal.”
Detwiler lost time in the pool with an illness, so she didn’t have the chance to taper coming into the meet.
“I can’t be mad from being sick,” said Detwiler.
Now, Detwiler (in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle) and Dankle (in the 500 freestyle) have to wait to see if their times are fast enough for a berth into the PIAA Championships in a couple weeks.
“I’ve always had to wait,” said Detwiler. “I’m hoping at states they won’t be as quick (in the breaststroke) and I’ll be tapered.
“(Her performance in the breaststroke) encourages me. I didn’t have my best race and I had a good time.”
Detwiler did not compete for the Lady Falcons last year, so she was very happy to cap her career with a pair of medals.
“I’m very excited to be back. I missed it. I didn’t regret it, but I’m happy to be back,” said Detwiler.
Connellsville’s Carlee Shreve moved up to the 13th spot in the 500 freestyle by shaving nine seconds off her seed time. The senior finished with a time of 5:15.65.
Shreve, Detwiler, Gracey Fiesta and Molly Maloy broke a long-standing record in the 400 freestyle relay after finishing 14th with their school-record time of 3:42.45.