Girls: Same old story for Villa Maria, as Hurricanes lead 2A race after Day 1

PHILADELPHIA » It’s business as usual for the Villa Maria swim team.

The Hurricanes amassed 225 points to lead the District 1 Class 2A girls’ swimming competition at La Salle University’s Kirk Pool on Thursday.

Only event winners in swimming receive automatic berths at the PIAA championships, slated for March 11-14 at Bucknell University. Other swimmers may receive at-large berths based on statewide time comparisons.

Madeline Ladd, Katie Regan, Megan Cassidy and Hannah King started things off for Villa Maria with a win in the 200-yard medley relay (1:49.14). Caitlin Hamill, Cassidy, Maddie George and King then took second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:40.50).

Hamill finished third in the 200 freestyle (1:57.99) for the Hurricanes while Ladd was fourth in the 200 individual medley (2:15.47) and Regan was eighth (2:17.57) in the 200 IM.

King claimed the silver medal in the 50 freestyle (24.57) for Villa Maria while George was fifth (26.00) in the same event. Cassidy finished sixth in the 100 butterfly (1:01.27).

In Class 3A, Izzy Paoletti of Avon Grove topped the field in the 200 individual medley (2:02.31).

“I’m focused more on states so I was not expecting to win this,” said Paoletti, a senior. “This was a big surprise. I’m not tapered at all. I’m looking to go 1:59 at states and I feel like I’m on target to do that.

“It’s so nice to have the automatic spot. It’s such a relief. Now I can look forward to the 500 free (Friday) and focus on that. Getting the spot in the IM doesn’t take the pressure off the 500. I still want to swim well. I still want to get to states.

“The IM felt really fast and I hope it sets the tone for me. All of my strokes have been improving. I’m looking to drop time in my breaststroke but my fly felt pretty smooth so I’m happy with that.”

Paoletti received the Main Line Chapter Swimming Officials award for posting the fastest time in the meet in the 200 IM. Teammate Sydney Paglia was eighth in the 100 butterfly (57.03).

Conestoga’s Caroline Famous, Naomi Furman, Allison Yuan and Lily Robinson took home the bronze in the 200 medley relay (1:45.09). Robinson, Audrey Laganelli, Louise Hay and Famous did the same in the 200 freestyle relay (1:36.18). Famous also picked up a fourth place finish in the 50 freestyle (23.91).

The Pioneers are third in 3A team scoring (92). North Penn is winning the team competition (181).

Molly Carson, Jill Anderson, Madelyn Lowe and Emily Albans took fourth in the 200 medley relay for Unionville (1:47.38). Unionville is 10th in team scoring (51).

For West Chester Henderson,

Krista Marlin, Marisa Krause, Hannah Fruhwirth and Rylee Kelly took fifth in the 200 medley relay (1:47.80) and Katie Simpson was fifth in the 50 freestyle (24.05).

Simpson, Shannon Gamble, Maya Burne and Kelly ended the day with eighth place in the 200 freestyle relay (1:37.71).

Sydney McCracken of Kennett took fifth in the 200 individual medley (2:05.26).

Alexa Fulton of Downingtown East won the bronze in the 50 freestyle (23.65). Teammate Grace Bousum turned the unusual trick of tying in both of her individual events. She was tied for fourth in the 100 butterfly with Ellie Brandbergh of Council Rock North (56.34) and seventh in the 200 individual medley with Haley Scholer of Central Bucks South (2:05.92).

Fulton, Lindsay Blake, Grace Noble and Bousum took sixth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:37.39).

The Cougars are fifth in team scoring (73).

In other action, Sarah

Manthorp of Downingtown West finished seventh in the 200 freestyle (1:52.99); West Chester Rustin’s Flynn Truskett finished seventh in the 50 freestyle (24.18) and Mac Sullivan of Great Valley finished seventh in the 100 butterfly (56.98).

The meet concludes on Friday.