YATESVILLE – Kiersten Grieco and Olivia Norwillo won four events each and Pittston Area swept the top three spots in five of eight individual swimming events Tuesday to open the Wyoming Valley Conference girls swimming season with a 134-34 romp over visiting Wyoming Area.

The Lady Patriots began the process of replacing graduated swimmers by blending in newcomers to the team. For the first time, those newcomers include swimmers from Old Forge in a cooperative sponsorship of the sport with Pittston Area.

“We did have a lot of seniors that had left,” Pittston Area coach Heather Clancy said. “ … We’re trying to find those freshmen and even those Old Forge girls who are sprinters and can help out.”

Pittston Area won all the swimming events and capped the day with Old Forge student Hannah Acevedo anchoring the win in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

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“Our swimmers from Old Forge are doing awesome,” Clancy said. “They’re blending in well, adding points and doing a great job.”

Grieco won the 50 freestyle in 29.02 and the 100 freestyle in 1:05.54 while also swimming legs on the winning 200 medley and freestyle relay teams.

Norwillo was on the same two relays and won the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Taylor Maas was also on those relays, won the 500 freestyle and beat her best time from a year ago while finishing second in the 200 freestyle behind teammate Kaitlyn Connors.

Juliet Lawler won the 100 backstroke and was part of the opening and closing relay wins.

Morgan Maas (100 butterfly) and Kaitlyn Connors in each won once individually and once as part of a relay.

Holly Winters was on the winning 400 freestyle relay team.

Wyoming Area’s only win came from Madi Resciniti in diving.

Becca Dymond had two of the team’s three second-place finishes in swimming events.

Boys

Boys from the two schools competed in events as an exhibition where the team score is not official because Pittston Area does not formally have a team.

Peter Fox from Pittston Area and Steven Dymond from Wyoming Area each won two events.

Olivia Norwillo swims the third leg of the 200 medley relay for Pittston Area as the Patriots face cross-town rivals Wyoming Area.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Girlsswim1.jpgOlivia Norwillo swims the third leg of the 200 medley relay for Pittston Area as the Patriots face cross-town rivals Wyoming Area. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area’s Kaitlyn Connors finishes first in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:26.89.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Girlsswim2.jpgPittston Area’s Kaitlyn Connors finishes first in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:26.89. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Warrior Becca Dymond competes in the 200 freestyle, finishing second with a time of 2:52.23 at Pittston Area.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Girlsswim3.jpgWarrior Becca Dymond competes in the 200 freestyle, finishing second with a time of 2:52.23 at Pittston Area. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area’s Olivia Borys, right, congratulates first-place winner Keirsten Grieco of Pittston Area at the completion of their race.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Girlsswim4.jpgWyoming Area’s Olivia Borys, right, congratulates first-place winner Keirsten Grieco of Pittston Area at the completion of their race. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Madi Taddei dives for Wyoming Area.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Girlsswim5.jpgMadi Taddei dives for Wyoming Area. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

By Tom Robinson

For Sunday Dispatch

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