Lady Falcon swimmers defeat Laurel Highlands, 91-64
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville girls were in control by the break and didn’t slow down for a 91-64 Section 5-AA victory Thursday night against visiting Laurel Highlands.
Connellsville finished first in all but three events.
The Lady Falcons’ Abby Harvey won the 100 freestyle in 1:04.33 and finished second to teammate Allison Johnson by just .03 seconds in the 50 freestyle with a time of 28.51 seconds.
She was on the victorious 200 freestyle relay. Harvey and the Lady Falcons also finished first in the 400 freestyle relay, but competed in exhibition.
Harvey has her sights set on times in the two freestyle events.
“I want 26 seconds in the 50 freestyle. I need to drop one second. I can fix my turns,” said Harvey. “I want to be under a minute in the 100 free. It’s easier to drop time in the 100.”
The 200 medley relay (2:15.81), Kassidy Callahan (200 IM, 2:32.76), Kallee Maloy (100 butterfly, 1:08.68; 100 backstroke, 1:07.20), and Madelynn Johnson (500 freestyle, 6:27.89) also finished first for the home team.
Addie Ciez had Laurel Highlands’ first-place finishes after touching the wall first in the 200 freestyle (2:04.81) and 100 breaststroke (1:17.24).
She was also on the 200 medley relay that finished second to the Lady Falcons by a mere .17 seconds.Ciez and the 200 freestyle relay also had a second-place finish.
Ciez has already met the WPIAL qualifying standard in the 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle and 500 freestyle, but isn’t sure just yet which two events she’ll enter for the district meet.She competed in the 500 freestyle and 200 freestyle last year.
“I’m more likely to do the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle,” said Ciez.
The junior swam with her older sister Ella the first two seasons. Ella Ciez now swims at Cleveland State.
“It was different. I had someone to look to,” said Ciez. “Now, I have to do it on my own.”
“I hope (her younger teammates) look up to me,” continued Ciez, adding with a smile, “I can be a loud person.”
Ciez believes she has what it takes to meet those goals.
“I’m a good self-motivator. This year I have to push myself. Some days I don’t want to do this and some days I realize my goals,” said Ciez.
Those goals include, “I want to qualify for the PIAAs and YMCA nationals. And, I’d like to place in the WPIALs. I want to get under two minutes in the 200 free and 5:25 in the 500 free.”