First Posted: 2/5/2015
YATESVILLE — During the diving portion of the event against Wyoming Seminary on Wednesday, Pittston Area coach Amy Hazlet went to her office, spread her swim cards out on the floor and starting thinking.
“How could I match up with them to get the win?” she said.
Well, whatever she did worked.
The Pittston Area girls swim team earned an impressive 96-84 win over Wyoming Seminary to move into fourth place in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
Hazlet had this event circled on her calender since the start of the season, and her preparedness paid off.
“I thought the girls did an excellent job,” Hazlet said. “They came in very prepared and very focused. They knew what they would be up against.”
Mia Nardone and Arianna Boccardi each won two events for the Patriots. Nardone took first in the 100 individual medley and the 200 free relay. Boccardi was first in the 100 free and was a member of the 200 free relay team.
But it wasn’t the first place finishes that led to the Patriots’ win.
Pittston Area won just four events, while Wyoming Seminary took first in eight. Every race has a possible 16 points, Hazlet noted, so the Patriots didn’t need to win each event to have a shot to win. A second-, third- and fourth-place finish would garner nine points to a first and fifth’s seven points.
In each Wyoming Seminary win, the Patriots finished second. In five of those events, the Patriots took second and third.
“We pulled off a lot of fourth places finishes instead of fifths,” Hazlet said. “I though we did the best we could with our lineup as far as strategically placing our girls with their girls and getting those points.”
Pittston Area was given a break when Wyoming Seminary didn’t have a diver. The Patriots automatically took 10 points for that win.
“They were really excited,” Hazlet said. “That was the fastest warm down I saw them do. They were really excited and are still excited now.”
The Patriot girls haven’t lost a conference dual meet since Dec. 18 against Dallas. Currently, Dallas, Holy Redeemer and Wyoming Valley West are in front of the Patriots in the standings.
In the boys exhibition race, Brandon Winters won the 50 free and 100 back for Pittston Area. He took the 50 free in 22.76 and the 100 back in 57.24. Eric Fritz won the 100 breast with a time of 1:14.60.
The Patriots finish off the regular season against Tunkhannock on Tuesday. Pittston Area will honor its seniors.
“We’re looking forward to districts,” Hazlet said. “That was a big win but that’s over.”
Warrior boys storm Trojans
Zach LaGrue and Austin Alder both won three times Friday in an 84-30 win over Nanticoke.
Ryan and Michael Murphy combined to win six events in the meet.
On Thursday, Tunkhannock took down Wyoming Area, 109-66. The Warriors won the 200 medley relay and Ryan Murphy picked up a win in the 200 individual medley. Tunkhannock won all but two events.
WA girls sink Nanticoke
Amy Alder was a four-time winner as the Warriors charged to a convincing 106-44 win over Nanticoke.
Alder’s wins came in the 200 individual medley, the 500 freestyle and two relay events. The Warriors won the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay.
On Thursday, Wyoming Area fell to Tunkhannock, 129-47. Picking up wins were Caitlin Kraynak in the 100 breaststroke and Alder in the 50 freestyle.
