On February 28 and March 1, 2013, Fox Chapel Area High School swimmers participated in the WPIAL AAA Championships at the University of Pittsburgh. Fox Chapel Area sent a total of 15 swimmers and had swimmers in 18 of the 22 events. Girls who went to WPIALs were seniors: Alexis Boyd, Claire McCarthy, Anna Mucci, and Amanda Todd; junior Sia Beasley; sophomores Maura Clark and Franny Dean; and freshman Kelly Arel. Boys who went to WPIALS were: seniors Travis Eckman, Ryan Foster, Scott Sterrett, and Zihan Su; junior Dante Cordaro; and sophomores Noah Cagley and Andrew Siar. Junior Addison Lynch and sophomores Emily Eames, Miranda Simon, and John Zottola dove earlier in the week.
As a team, the girls placed 9th overall. They swam in nine of the possible 11 events, earning points in seven different events. Swimmers for the girls who scored points were Sia Beasley, Franny Dean, Anna Mucci, and Amanda Todd – 200 medley relay (11th); Anna Mucci – 200 individual medley (11th) and 100 butterfly (16th); Franny Dean – 500 freestyle (4th) and 100 breast (12th); Sia Beasley – 100 backstroke (7th); and Sia Beasley, Anna Mucci, Maura Clark, and Franny Dean – 400 freestyle relay (11th). In addition, divers Miranda Simon (4th) and Emily Eames (6th) scored points earlier in the week.
As a team, the boys placed 6th. They swam in nine of the possible 11 events. Boys who scored points were Zihan Su, Dante Cordaro, Scott Sterrett, and Noah Cagley – 200 medley relay (5th); Noah Cagley – 200 freestyle (6th) and 100 free (5th); Scott Sterrett (4th) and Zihan Su (8th) – 200 individual medley; Zihan Su – 100 backstroke (8th); Scott Sterrett – 100 Breast (6th); and Noah Cagley, Zihan Su, Ryan Foster, and Scott Sterrett – 400 freestyle relay (6th). Addison Lynch finished 9th for the 1 meter diving.
Coach Todd Clark was pleased and excited by everyone’s performance with most swimming personal best times in their events. Not only did Fox Chapel Area swim very well, but combined the boys and girls set eight new Fox Chapel Area team records. Franny Dean set a new record in the 100 breaststroke. The boys broke Fox Chapel Area team records in seven of the nine events they swam. The events in which the record were set were Zihan Su, Dante Cordaro, Scott Sterrett, and Noah Cagley – 200 medley relay; Noah Cagley – 200 freestyle; Scott Sterrett – 200 individual medley; Noah Cagley – 100 freestyle; Zihan Su – 100 backstroke; Scott Sterrett – 100 breaststroke; and Noah Cagley, Zihan Su, Ryan Foster, and Scott Sterrett – 400 free relay. The 400 freestyle relay record they broke was set back in 1979. The record-breaking performance was witnessed by Fox Chapel Area alumni Jerry Zaleski who was part of the 1979 Fox Chapel Area 400 freestyle relay.
The PIAA AAA Swimming and Diving Championships takes place on March 15 and 16 at Bucknell University. Divers Miranda Simon and Emily Eames, along with Franny Dean (500 free); Sia Beasley (100 back); Noah Cagley (100 free); Zihan Su (100 back); Scott Sterrett (200 IM and 100 breast); and Zihan Su, Dante Cordaro, Scott Sterrett, and Noah Cagley (200 medley relay) will represent the Fox Chapel Area team at states.