Riverside Swim Team Defends Section Title, Eyes WPIAL Championships

For a fourth consecutive year, the Riverside High School Swim Team has earned section championship bragging rights.

The boys finished a perfect 8-0 in their Class-AA section with their latest victory against the Beaver Bobcats on February 17th

The co-op swimming team consisting of Ellwood City and Riverside athletes will next look towards defending various titles at the WPIAL Championships later this week, Thursday, March 3rd and Friday, March 4th at Trees Pool on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

The boys 200m freestyle relay and 400m freestyle relay are currently ranked first in the WPIAL according to coach Bill Valli.

Some other notables from Valli:

• If the boys team can win the 200 freestyle relay this year it will be the third consecutive win for them in that event.
• Joeseph Roth is currently ranked 1st in the 100m backstroke and holds the WPIAL record, set in last year’s championships
• Alexander Roth and Ryan Turner, are ranked in the top 10 in multiple events.
• Sam Kline and Michael Stynn are ranked in the top 20 in their best events.

“We lost two quality seniors to graduation from last years team,” says Valli. “It will be difficult to repeat the kind of success we had last year but the team is ready to go after it. They are excited and feel good about their chances.”

The team may have been able to hide behind and sneak in the for win in past years, but won’t be able to hide anymore according to coach Gwen Nulph.

“I prefer to be the underdogs with no pressure, but this is added pressure,” says Nulph. “The boys seem to handle it well.”

Valli adds that this year the Class-AA WPIAL Championship meet looks to be one of the fastest on record.

“Anything can happen though,” says Nulph.

During the regular season the team earned victories over Montour, Blackhawk, Quaker Valley, Central Valley, Blackhawk, Hopewell, Cornell, Beaver, and Beaver Falls.  Their only losses were against non-section opponents Pine Richland and North Catholic

The team consists of Sam Kline, Alex Roth, Denver Hoyman, Joe Roth, Gavin Fredrick, Ryan Turner, Joe Pietro, TK, Joel Brooks, Mike Stynn, and foreign exchange student Martin Elias.

“I am proud of these boys! I am happy to coach them every night,” adds Nulph. “I am proud to coach the Riverside boys and girls!”

WPIAL Swimming Championship tickets can ONLY be purchased at the gate. All tickets are $10.00. (MORE INFORMATION)