O’Toole assaulting record book
BUTLER TWP — Records could fall in bunches this winter at Butler’s Natatorium.
After breaking three records (two school, one pool) in
Monday’s meet against Indiana, senior swimmer Stephanie O’Toole broke four more
in Thursday’s 103-69 victory over Shaler.
Her effort in the 200-yard freestyle of one minute, 54.24
seconds broke the previous school record (1:55.97) and pool record (1:55.63).
She did the same in the 100 freestyle, swimming it in 52.76. The old standards
were 54.34 (school) and 53.9 (pool).
“She’s incredibly gifted, has a tremendous work ethic and a
lot of heart,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “You combine those three things,
there’s no telling what she could do by the end of the season.”
Shaler’s boys won the final event of the night — the 400
freestyle relay — to pull out a 95-89 win over Butler.
What made Thursday’s meet even sweeter for O’Toole was the
team victory. Despite her efforts against Indiana, the Golden Tornado (1-1)
lost by five points.
“Individually, I did well tonight,” said O’Toole, “but we
also won and that’s the perfect combination for me. I just wanted to come out,
have fun and swim my best.”
Butler freshman Jillian McElhaney also won two individual
events, the 50 freestyle (25.5) and 100 butterfly (1:04.74). The Tornado did
not lose an event until the squad began swimming exhibition with three events
remaining.
“We had a strong effort against Indiana, though the end
result did not show it,” said Bocci. “It’s good to get that first win.”
A disqualification on Butler’s boys during the 200 freestyle
relay came back to haunt the Tornado, who had one of their swimmers leave the
block early.
“The lesson we learned from it is that you never know when
you will be called to contribute to the team,” said Bocci. “Swimming is a team
sport and you have to be ready.”
Shaler’s quartet of Jeremy Wakeley, Gino Cercone, Dillon
Brown and Jimmy Belany broke an 85-85 tie by winning the 400 freestyle relay in
3:43.43.
In all, the Titans (3-0) won just three events, but picked up
a lot of second and third-place efforts.
“We knew Butler had a good boys team back,” said Shaler coach
Keith Simmons, “but we also knew that we had the depth to keep up with them.”
Tukker Uniatowski (200 IM and breaststroke) and Ryan Deemer
(200 and 500 freestyle) both won two individual events for Butler (0-2).
Butler hosts Mars on Tuesday.
Girls
Butler 103, Shaler 69
200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Jillian McElhaney, Taylor
Campbell, Amelia Rashid, Kati Herr) 1:59.99
200 freestyle: 1-Stephanie O’Toole (B) 1:54.24
200 individual medley: 1-Taylor Campbell (B) 2:19.18
50 freestyle: 1-Jillian McElhaney (B) 25.5
1-meter diving: 1-Claire Weiland (B) 169.10
100 butterfly: 1-Jillian McElhaney (B) 1:04.74
100 freestyle: 1-Stephanie O’Toole (B) 52.76
500 freestyle: 1-Macie Pennington (B) 5:31.38
200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Macie Pennington, Amelia
Rashid, Kati Herr, Stephanie O’Toole) 1:46.57
100 backstroke: 1-Anita Peduto (S) 1:05.36
100 breaststroke: 1-Cassie Battaglia (S) 1:22.68
400 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler (Molly Powers, Megan George,
Brittany Hernon, Anita Peduto) 4:03.13
Boys
Shaler 95, Butler 89
200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Ryan Deemer, Tukker Uniatowski,
Levi Leyland, Dante Cicco) 1:47.30
200 freestyle: 1-Ryan Deemer (B) 1:49.89
200 individual medley: 1-Tukker Uniatowski (B) 2:08.72
50 freestyle: 1-Dante Cicco (B) 24.21
1-meter diving: 1-Levi Cetti (B) 276.35
100 butterfly: 1-Levi Leyland (B) 1:00.80
100 freestyle: 1-Nate Porter (S) 52.93
500 freestyle: 1-Ryan Deemer (B) 5:02.88
200 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler 1:39.17
100 backstroke: 1-Taylor Frankenstein (B) 1:02.71
100 breaststroke: 1-Tukker Uniatowski (B) 1:05.54
400 freestyle relay: 1-Shaler 3:43.43