Phoenixville’s Pappas, OJR’s Niness star at PAC meet
GRATERFORD >> Phoenixville junior Erini Pappas enjoyed another fine outing during the Pioneer Athletic Conference Girls Swimming Championships at Perkiomen Valley High School Friday night.
As one of many stars who turned in fine times, Pappas won two individual events and captured another gold medal as part of the Phantoms’ winning 200-yard medley relay team
“They are not my best times, but they are really close, especially in the 200 IM,” said Pappas. “I am excited to go to districts. I have been to states the past two years. Maybe there will be tighter competition from the upperclassmen.”
The meet’s lone three-event winner, Pappas took first place in the 200-yard individual medley with a 2:07.48 clocking. Pappas came back with a victory in the 100 yard buttefly in 56.77 seconds.
The Phoenixville 200 medley relay team of Erini Pappas, Sarah McCarthy, Penelope Pappas and Sarah Ritter won with a time of 1:50.08.
Owen J. Roberts’ Mikayla Niness was the meet’s other multiple-event winner as the senior placed first in the 100 freestyle (52.56) and 200 free (1:56.82).
Perkiomen Valley junior Ashley Derrick set a school record in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:00.18. Derrick broke the previous mark of 1:00.50,
held by Krissy (Malchitsky) Iannelli in 1997. Iannelli has a daughter who now swims on the Perkiomen Valley Athletic Club Team.
Derrick is primarily a field hockey player who has now also found a home in the swimming pool during the winter months.
“It is nice to be at the home pool,” said Derrick. “I really felt it.”
Perkiomen Valley coach Mitch Zackowski was impressed with Derrick’s effort as well as those of many of his Viking swimmers.
“We had three girls who got consideration for districts in three different events,” said Zackowski.
One was Olivia Palubinski, who finished sixth in the 50 freestyle with a 25.63 clocking. Another was Erin Lamirande, who took fourth in the 500 freestyle at 5:26.46. And the third was Derrick, who is an automatic qualifier in the 100 back.
“All the kids were amazing,” said Zackowski. “It was an amazing meet. Kids were dropping times across the board. It was awesome with high energy. We had the big crowd and the girls were cheering each other. They will all be here (Saturday) cheering the boys. It was fun.”
Erini Pappas said she was particularly happy about teammate Sarah McCarthy in the 100 breaststroke. McCarthy placed third with a time of 1:08.37.
”That was her personal best,” said Erini Pappas. “That was exciting.”
Spring-Ford coach Greg Huff was pleased with his girls performances as well.
“We broke three team records, the 200 free relay, 400 free relay and freshman sprinter Ashley Gutshall,” said Huff. “She broke her own 50 free record that she has done four times this season.”
The 200 free relay captured first place with a time of 1:39.58. The team was comprised of Gutshall, Maris Sadowski, Emma Thomas and Anna Curran.
The Rams’ 400 free relay also won their race in 3:39.02. That quartet was made up of Sadowski, Thomas, Curran and Gutshall on the anchor.
Gutshall copped a gold medal in the 50 free with a 24.04.
Emma Thomas claimed top honors in the 500 free with a 5:19.00. Owen J. Roberts’ Lauren Zelinske placed second in 5:23.31. Thomas was a repeat winner in the event from last year.
Lindsay Yuen of Upper Merion won the 100 yard breaststroke at 1:06.37. Meredith Mutter of OJR finished second in 1:06.51.