Local swimmers looking for gold in WPIAL championships

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

Area swimmers will converge at Upper St. Clair High School today for the WPIAL swimming championships. 

The event usually takes place at Trees Pool on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh but was relocated due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The local spotlight will shine on the Belle Vernon boys swimming team, which is coming off an unbeaten season and section title.

“I am obviously excited to see if Ian (Shahan) can repeat as WPIAL champion in the 100 fly,” Leps head coach Rob Reda said. “Sam West has been looking good in both the 200 and 100 free. I am also excited for first time individual swimmers Nick Reda and Jake Wessel to swim at WPIALs. Hopefully they can carry this experience into next year.”

Shahan will compete in four events, including the 100 fly, 50 free and 200 and 400 free relays. West, Garrett Ursiny and Cody Danto will join him on the relay teams. Ursiny, Reda, Wessel and Luke Miller will team up in the 200 medley relay.

Several Leopards on the girls side will also have their opportunities at WPIAL gold. Delaney Patterson will compete in four events as well: the 200 free, 100 breast and the 200 and 400 free relays. Melina Stratigos will compete in the 100 and 200 free as well as both the free relays with Patterson, Marty Maley and Marlee Davis.

“Delaney (Patterson) is our top girl returning to WPIALs and moved from the 200 Individual Medley to the 200 Free. She has been a PIAA qualifier in ninth and tenth grade,” Reda said. “Stratigos is a freshman and a first time WPIAL qualifier in both of her events. The girls broke a long-standing school record in the 200 free relay from the mid 1990s.”

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