Mar 2, 2018 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Though North Allegheny ran away with the boys competition, winning its 12th WPIAL Class AAA swimming championship in 13 years with a whopping 440 score, Peters Township and Canon-McMillan produced top-10 performances. The Indians placed seventh in the team standings with a 120 score while the Big Macs took 10th with 93 points.

While he could have been speaking for both clubs, coach Mike Meyers was proud of Peters Township’s showing.

“They did great,” he raved. “They all swam awesome.”

On a second fast day at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool, the Indians’ Cassidy Sweeney and Stephen Hopta, as well as C-M’s Cody Stewart, produced the highest individual places among their teams. Each finished fourth in their respective races and have qualified for the PIAA Championships set for March 14-17 at Bucknell University. The PIAA also will make a number of at-large selections. These will be based on times recorded at each of the other district or regional meets being held across the state.

While relative opposites regarding their experience in the event, Cassidy and Hopta excelled in the 100-yard backstroke.

Cassidy clocked a 57.79. The sophomore placed fourth behind North Allegheny’s Torie Buerger (55.80), Oakland Catholic’s Ellie Tiskus and South Fayette’s Abbie Duncan (57.54).

According to Meyers, Cassidy just started working on the stroke around Christmas and she’s been improving since. “She’s really been bringing down her times,” he said. “We feel good about what she has done and we’re excited to see the times move even further at states.”

Hopta also qualified for states with his backstroke performance. The senior will compete in two races, including the 200 freestyle, just like Cassidy, who is also qualified in the 100 butterfly.

Unlike Cassidy, Hopta came into his race as the defending WPIAL champion. While Hopta clocked a 50.98, Andrew Zhang of NA won the race in 49.28.

“That was a very good event,” Meyers said. “All four, I am sure, are going to be All-Americans when all is said and done.”

All top-four finishers earned consideration times, which will be evaluated with other top times from across the nation. Last year, Hopta earned All-America honors.

Hopta helped the 400 freestyle relay team of Garrett Buzzelli, Ryan Rose, and Paul Luniewski finish sixth. The relay is on the watch list for a berth in the state championships.

“The relay did real well and that’s a fast time,” Meyers said of PT’s 3:13.81 mark. NA won the race with a record-time of 3:03.12.

Meanwhile, Luniewski could join PT’s individuals as well as its medley relay at states. The senior secured sixth place in the 100 breaststroke, which was won in near-record time by Josh Matheny. The USC freshman won in 54.94, just off the WPIAL record of 54.82.

“We have to wait and see with Paul but as you can see the breaststroke times are really strong across the state,” Meyers said.

Meanwhile, the 100-yard boys freestyle race boasted a strong field. It produced both an upset and a WPIAL record. Kimani Gregory (44.04) of Penn Hills edged Mason Gonzalez (44.17) and Jack Wright of NA and went under the WPIAL record of 44.14, which was set in 2016 by Gonzalez.

Stewart followed in fourth place for the Big Macs. Stewart’s teammates, Nicholas Pirollo and Liam Sulc, placed 20th and 22nd.

Pirollo joined forces with Nathan Pirollo, Brant Purcell and Max Orlowski to pick up eight more points for the Big Macs with 13th place in the 400 freestyle relay.

On the girls side for C-M, Abby Mele placed ninth in the 100 breaststroke.

For the 10th year in a row, the Class AAA title went to North Allegheny. The Tigers racked up 327 points. Upper St. Clair edged Mt. Lebanon, 255-252, for runner-up honors. Peters Township (17th), South Fayette (20th) and Canon-McMillan (23rd) were in the top 25 in the girls team standings.