DeMartile selected as Athlete of the Year
Wins third consecutive state title in the 100 backstroke
It’s cold days like these past few that have Meghan DiMartile dreaming of warmer times.
In two years, she’ll have them, swimming at the University of Texas.
But in any weather and any situation, DiMartile was a driving force for Upper Dublin.
“I was really happy with the end result of this season,” DiMartile said. “We had a lot of girls step up this year, which was awesome. Considering the past year and all the challenges that came with it, I was really proud of my teammates and the way they worked hard through the adversity.
“Finishing sixth in the state was really special for our team because we lost a lot of seniors last year and we knew we had to work hard to get where we finished.”
DiMartile, selected Athlete of the Year for Girls Swimming by The Reporter/.Montgomery Media/Times Herald won a pair of gold medals at the PIAA Championships, helping to push the Cards to that sixth-place finish.
DiMartile pulled off a rare three-peat in the 100 back.
“I am grateful to have won,” the junior shared. “This year of training was definitely different and leading up to states wasn’t what I was used to so I was happy to have swam the time I did and bring a first-place finish for my team.”
DiMartile was seeded with a time of 54.94, then touched in 54.31 to win the gold.
Said coach Brandon Pierce: “(Winning the title) was her focus since last year. Meghan’s not only a great swimmer. She’s a great athlete. When she came in as a freshman, we saw the potential. She’s been able to defend her title (in the 100 back) again and again, and next year could be quite a capper.”
The relays once again got it
done for the Cardinals, and DiMartile led off the winning 200 medley relay (1:43.92), joining Emma McCarthy, Molly Braun and Korinna Pesti.
“We went into the meet seeded third so we knew we had to step up and swim our best,” DiMartile said. “It was really special to me to have won the event with teammates that I’ve trained hard with all year. Everyone stepped up and did their
part so it was an awesome experience.”
DiMartile looks for a grand finale with Upper Dublin next year before heading west.
“I plan on studying and swimming at the University of Texas,” she said. “It was definitely weird having to decide on a college during a pandemic. I had my family and coaches there to help me make the right choice. I chose Texas because of the amazing academics, great coaching, and the feeling I got when I met the team. I am also looking forward to the warm weather.”