The Foxes went into the WPIAL Class 3A Swimming Championships full of talent, and the results did not disappoint. All the medalists’ times were significantly faster than they were last year, and eight records were entered into Fox Chapel Area High School swimming history. For the third year, the girls team finished in second place, and the boys moved up a notch this season to finish fourth overall.
Senior Sarah Pasquella was the first to strike gold with her victory in the 200 free, earning a time that distinguishes her as an All-American. Later, senior Owen Howell added another first-place medal by successfully defending his title in the 200 individual medley (IM).
Not to be outdone were two of the girls relays in the 200 and 400 free. Sarah, senior Grace Kovach, and sophomores Charlotte Rusche and Josie Stanczak won the 400 last year and swam even faster this year on their way to gold again. What thrilled the girls even more, however, was adding the 200 free relay as a bookend. The same quartet had a goal of winning that event all year, and their time for the 200 was an All-American time.
“The 200 free relay (1:35.14) was definitely our focus, so it was really exciting for all of us to finally win after being so close last year,” says Grace, who swam the second leg in both relays. “We knew all season that it was winnable due to our experience and preparation. I was really nervous going into the 400 free relay because we really wanted to secure gold for a second year in a row, but I trusted that we had all put in the work and were ready to give it our all to win.”
Teammate Josie adds, “One of the things that I think makes the relays so successful is that we all inspire each other and work together to win. During our races, you can tell that everyone is focused and competitive and will give everything in her leg of the race.”
Silver Success
Sarah was favored to win the individual 100 breast, but, instead, came heartbreakingly close with a second-place finish. Only one step below a U.S. Open Swimming qualified athlete, Sarah says, “I am very happy with the results, and I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish with my team at states. I feel like I still have more in the tank and am just going to keep working hard to get another best there.”
Senior Christian Dantey’s goal was to defend his title in the 100 breast. Even after a remarkable swim that convincingly beat his time from last year, he touched the wall in second place, one-hundredths of a second behind the gold medalist.
“Although I was a little disappointed because the goal was to win, Greater Latrobe’s swimmer put up a really good swim, and he most definitely deserves it,” Christian says. “Over the past days, I learned to accept my results and move on. Sometimes I can be a little harsh on myself. I realized that even if I got the times I wanted, I would still be getting back to work the next day with the same big goal of states in mind.”
Additionally, senior Jackson Hagler also moves on to the statewide meet after earning a silver medal at the WPIAL meet.
Medalists at WPIAL Championships and PIAA Qualifiers
*new school record †state qualifier
Boys
200 Yard Medley Relay – 8th Place
Owen Nguyen, Paul Park, Nathan Agens, Hugo Mickus
200 Yard Freestyle
Christian Dantey† – 3rd Place
200 Yard IM
Owen Howell† – 1st Place (1:51.40)*
100 Yard Butterfly
Nathan Agens† – 8th Place (51.57)*
200 Yard Freestyle Relay† – 5th Place (1:27.26)*
Arman Alborzi, Paul Park, Owen Howell, Christian Dantey
100 Yard Breaststroke
Christian Dantey† – 2nd Place (55.95)*
Owen Howell† – 3rd Place
400 Yard Freestyle Relay† – 4th Place (3:09.59)*
Arman Alborzi, Nathan Agens, Owen Howell, Christian Dantey
1 Meter Diving
Jackson Hagler† – 2nd Place
Gosha Pistsov – 8th Place
Girls
200 Yard Medley Relay† – 7th Place
Cameryn Brindza, Elizabeth Datt, Margaret Rusche, Tuuli Airik
200 Yard Freestyle
Sarah Pasquella† – 1st Place (1:48.79)* (All-American)
Charlotte Rusche† – 3rd Place
200 Yard IM
Cameryn Brindza – 7th Place
50 Yard Freestyle
Grace Kovach† – 8th Place
Josephine Stanczak† – 9th Place
100 Yard Butterfly
Margaret Rusche† – 4th Place
200 Yard Freestyle Relay† – 1st Place (1:35.14)* (All-American)
Sarah Pasquella, Grace Kovach, Josephine Stanczak, Charlotte Rusche
100 Yard Freestyle
Grace Kovach† – 4th Place
500 Yard Freestyle
Charlotte Rusche† – 4th Place
100 Yard Backstroke
Margaret Rusche† – 4th Place
Cameryn Brindza – 8th Place
100 Yard Breaststroke
Sarah Pasquella† – 2nd Place
400 Yard Freestyle Relay† – 1st Place (3:27.93)*
Sarah Pasquella (50.67)*, Grace Kovach, Josephine Stanczak, Charlotte Rusche