The Riverside Boys Swimming team collected a WPIAL Gold in the 200 and 400-yard Freestyle relay events and set WPIAL records – both collectively and individually – along the way during the WPIAL Swimming Championships this past weekend at the University of Pittsburgh.
The 200-yard Freestyle relay Gold was the program’s third consecutive crown.
The team finished second overall in Class 2A with several strong individual performances.
“Our main goal was to just focus on the things in our control,” said head coach Bill Valli. “I tell our kids to give championship effort and have fun doing it. The points at the end will take care of itself.”
The Panther relay team , comprised of Roth brothers, Joseph and Alexander, junior Sam Kline, and sophomore Ryan Turner, finished with a new WPIAL record time of 1:26.37.
“That is fantastic for AA swimming,” said coach Gwen Nulph. “We are right up there with AAA swimming.”
The foursome finished 21.28, 21.57, 22.16 and 21.36 in the four legs.
“It was a powerful win,” added Nulph.
𝐖𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝟐𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬’ 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫-𝐔𝐩
🥈 Riverside#WPIAL | 🏊🏆 pic.twitter.com/lZeOJc8xrb
— WPIAL (@wpial7) March 4, 2022
On day two, the 400-yard freestyle relay team, comprised of the same four Riverside athletes, set another WPIAL record, this time recording a time of 3:10.93.
Individually, the Splash Brothers – Alexander and Joseph Roth – traded in the leather and hardwood for the crisp and clear waters of the Joseph Tress Pool.
Sophomore Joseph Roth set a WPIAL records in the 100-yard backstroke with an impressive 50.00 flat time, breaking his own record set just last year.
Roth also took gold in the 50-yard freestyle (21.28).
𝐖𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝟐𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬’ 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞
🥇 Jo Roth (Riverside) – 50.00**
🥈 Ben Sheets (@HTSDAthletics) – 51.83
🥉 Jackson Kress (@NCForeverTrue) – 52.27** – New WPIAL record#WPIAL | 🏊🏆 pic.twitter.com/E3KV6sgWVc
— WPIAL (@wpial7) March 4, 2022
Older brother Alexander placed second in the 100-yard freestyle and third in the 200-yard freestyle.
Other Panthers contributing included Ryan Turner, who finished fourth in the 200-yard freestyle on day one and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle on day two, and a pair of freshmen swimmers.
Freshman Mike Styn finished the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:05.40 and Freshman Gavin Fredrick finished the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:01.49.
source: facebook.com/RVHSwimming
Riverside placed second overall as a team in the WPIAL championships with 205 points.
“I liked our effort and competitiveness,” said Valli. “Our kids really raced well.”
Hampton finished first overall with 233 points.
“They [Hampton] are difficult to beat,” added Valli. “They are a good team with talented swimmers and excellent coaches.”
“This is a big story for a small town with a small pool,” said Nulph. “There are some really talented young adults in this area. They have to work hard and stay focused.”
Nulph adds that every one of the swimmers came from the youth program.
Three Rivers Swimming focuses on technique and the skills needed to swim at a high school level and onto college.
“I love these kids,” says Nulph. “I will really miss my Seniors.”
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