For the fifth consecutive year, the Foxes boys swimming team dominated WPIAL 3A Section 3, adding another championship title to its growing legacy. While the program has always enjoyed abundant talent, this season stands out because of its depth – something that hasn’t been as prevalent in recent years. Eight boys racers and three divers qualified for WPIAL championships, with most of them making cuts in multiple events.
Coach Matt Mauclair attributes much of the team’s success to its strong leadership.
“The strength of the team is seen in its leadership,” says the coach. “Our senior captains, Christian Dantey and Owen Howell, have established an understanding this year about what it takes to succeed as a team. Their actions speak volumes to the underclassmen.”
While it’s difficult to whittle down the times of elite swimmers, the Foxes are doing just that. They started the new year in hardcore training mode, focusing on WPIALs and states. Many of their top times – some of the fastest in 3A – occurred early in the season when they faced their fiercest competitor, North Allegheny. That non-section annual showdown is always intense, with many racers pulling out their tech suits to swim their best times – at least at that point in the season.
“The way endurance sports work, especially for high-performing athletes, is there’s only small percentages of improvement to make,” explains coach Mauclair. “Stacking our training sessions, the quality of workouts, and leading into our taper time in another week, will put Christian, Owen and our other contributors in the perfect place come the WPIAL Championships.”
Top Contenders
Owen
An Emory University recruit, Owen is capping off an already-impressive high school career with an outstanding senior season. He qualified for WPIALs in all eight events and is seeking a repeat WPIAL gold medal in the individual 200 IM. He placed fifth in that event at states. He also owns school records in the 200 IM (1:52.38), and as a member of the 200 medley, 200 free, and 400 free relay teams.
“I am much faster than I was at this time last year, and I still have more in the tank,” Owen says. “I will be swimming my usual events at WPIALs, the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke, and a few of the relays. As we close in on the big meet, I will put an increasing focus on the little details, like underwaters, starts, and turns. I also try to eat better, get more sleep, and get my mind prepared for competition.”
Christian describes his friend, co-captain, and longtime teammate as, “amazing captain who leads by example through his work ethic but is also very organized and ambitious. When he has an idea or goal for the team, he gets it done.”
Christian
Christian, a George Washington commit, also qualified in every individual event. He currently holds Fox Chapel Area High School individual swimming records in the 200 free (1:39), the 100 free (46.67), and as part of the 200- and 400-free relay teams (1:28.02 and 3:11.26, respectively).
Last season, he placed second in the 200 free at WPIALs, third in the 100 breast, and helped his 200 free relay team to an eight-place medal. After starting off the season with arm tendonitis, he has overcome that obstacle and now is fine-tuning his technique. He’s been described as unbreakable, even when doing some of the most physically and challenging sets.
“I’ve really tried to strengthen my underwaters, have faster turns, and more powerful starts,” says Christian. “My main WPIAL events (200 free and 100 breast) have been especially faster compared to my fastest times last year.”
Currently, Owen and Christian hold the top WPIAL 3A 1-2 times in the 100 breast. It’s a scenario Owen has had in the back of his mind ever since his freshman year.
“I just can’t wait for the ultimate final showdown with my fiercest competitor and closest friend,” Owen says. Nothing would make me happier than Christian and I getting first and second in the 100 breast at WPIALs, regardless of whether I get silver or gold.”
Both seniors will also swim on several the relay teams, although the exact composition of each event won’t be determined until closer to the championships.
Additional Contenders
Another senior the Foxes are counting on is Paul Park. He’s expected to contribute points in the relays and some individual sprinting events, including the 100 breast and 50 free. He also made the cut in the 100 free.
Junior Arman Alborzi has emerged as the team’s go-to sprinter this season and is expected to make a mark at the championships. He qualified for three individual events (50 free, 100 fly, and 100 free) and will also race in a relay or two. Arman holds a school record set last season as part of the 200 free relay team.
Sophomores Hugo Mickus and Desi Ruff will also represent the Foxes in the 500 free.
Youth Movement
This year’s freshmen class has made an impressive, immediate impact. Owen Ngyuen and Nathan Agens qualified in multiple individual events – six for Owen and four for Nathan – and will also play key roles on some of the relay teams. Talented rookie Sam Asher, a butterfly specialist, qualified in the 100 fly.
Sam Resek, Nick Bell, and Davide Pullara have shown tremendous growth in their freshmen season.
Alan Jian, Gavin Patterson, Will Henderson, and Christian Birkner also provide depth in the relay events, in which points are needed to be competitive in meets.
The collective influence of the freshmen has not gone unnoticed by the senior leaders.
“They’ve added so many good things to our team,” Christian says. “Not only unity, but each individual brings something different. Some freshmen have been leaders through their work ethic, and some have been role models with their positivity and selflessness.”
“Our freshmen class is absolutely stacked,” coach Mauclair says. “Nathan, Owen, and Sam Asher don’t’ realize how good they are yet. They all have a great future here at Fox Chapel Area, along with Sam Resek, Christian Birkner, and Will Henderson. They all put in a great deal of effort into each practice and don’t even realize how good they are.
“I believe we have some of the deepest swim talent around. All these athletes have an opportunity to extend the success of the Fox Chapel Area boys swimming for years to come.”
All in the Details
Coach Mauclair is often asked, “What’s the difference between a good athlete – swimmer, in this case – and a great swimmer?”
His reply: “It comes down to the attention to detail. Not only in the pool – streamline off the wall, breath control, body position, and stroke efficiency but what that swimmer focuses on outside of the pool – recovery, nutrition, strength work, and their mental health.
“This boys team has truly embraced each of these specifics to become legitimate contenders in the individual events and team contenders going into the WPIAL championships and beyond.”
Editor’s note: In the WPIAL Class 3A Diving Championships held Saturday, February 22, 2025, at North Allegheny High School, senior Jackson Hagler was the WPIAL runner-up, and sophomore Gosha Pistsov placed eighth. Jackson will compete in the PIAA Class 3A Diving Championships at Bucknell University in March.