BVA swimming teams primed for decorated season
By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.
MVI Sports
Carrying success from one season to the next is difficult without other outside influences.
The 2020-21 swim season is one Belle Vernon Area has been targeting as a breakout campaign.
After a sixth-place finish and 136 points at the WPIAL finals last year and having their bids for state titles dashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Leopard boys look primed for another decorated season.
“The best way I can describe it is cautiously optimistic,” BVA coach Rob Reda said. “We are all a little nervous knowing that everything can change overnight but we also realize the great opportunity we have in front of us.”
The boys team has finished on the podium in each of the last three years and those swimmers who made the initial impact in 2018 are now seniors.
The Leps are led by four-time individual WPIAL champion and Army-West Point recruit Ian Shahan. He is the two-time defending WPIAL champ in the 100 butterfly and freestyle as well as the WPIAL record holder in the 100 butterfly.
But the team is more than just Shahan.
Fellow seniors Cody Danto, Garrett Ursiny and Sam West were all medalists at the WPIAL meet.
While the aforementioned swimmers were all on very successful relay teams last year, their placement for this year will be in an effort to best benefit the Leopards.
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