Tyrone has swam against Altoona every season for nearly 20 years without success. Being one of the larger schools and teams in the area, it’s been very challenging for Tyrone to compete. But with Golden Eagle’s recent growth in swimming, the team has finally beat the Mountain Lions.

“We had excellent swims. We haven’t had a double win in over 15 years. Altoona is always a tough team with good swimmers. We both had good races and we just ending up on the winning side more. There was good competitiveness shown,” said Head Coach Tom Getz.

Along with the excitement of Senior Night, a new name will be added to the record wall. Bishop Guifoyle freshman Fiona McConnell broke the 100 breaststroke record by .03 seconds.

“When Fiona broke the record, I was very excited. Records are made to be broken. It shows our program is going in the right direction,” added Getz.

Click the link below to see the heat sheet:

Tyrone vs Altoona

Girls: Tyrone- 95, Altoona- 75

Mae Decker, Anastasia Slobodnik, Cate Baran, and Fiona McConnell won two first places in the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay. Other relay team secured a second and third place.

McConnell and M. Decker were the only two from the girls side that were double winners.

McConnell earned first place in both the 50 free and 100 breast. She broke the previous 100 breaststroke record by .03 seconds.

The previous record, held by Jordan Wiser, was 1:17.52. Fiona McConnell swam a 1:17.49.

“[Beating the record] was amazing! Everyone was so happy and supportive [of] me and it couldn’t have been better!” said Bishop Guilfoyle freshman McConnell.

M. Decker won the 500 free and 100 back. She dropped nine seconds from the previous meet.

Individual first place winners included A. Slobodnik in the 200 IM and senior Alli Hosko in the 100 fly, working off two seconds from her previous time.

Hosko also placed second in the 200 free.

A. Slobodnik earned a second place in the 100 breast.

Baran improved by two seconds in the 100 free, working to a second place. She also places third in the 50 free.

Freshman Sarah Manna secured a second place in the 200 IM, dropping 13 seconds in the process. She also worked off six seconds from her previous 100 free time.

“Beating Altoona really shows how our swim team has grown over the years. Fiona breaking the record was so exciting, especially on a night as special as Senior Night. Everyone has worked so hard the whole season,” said sophomore Hannah Gampe.

Gampe also had a very successful swim, dropping 13 seconds from her  previous 500 free, placing third in the event.

Bellwood sophomore Olivia Thomas placed third in the 100 back, improving by two seconds.

Emma Hoover dropped six seconds in the 200 free.

Bellwood senior Sarah Knisley improved by a second in the 100 fly.

Boys: Tyrone- 90, Mifflin County- 77

The team of Carter Maceno, Jules Collet, Brendan Kowalski, and Bryce Bauer place first in the 200 free relay and 3rd in the 400 free. Other Tyrone relay teams claimed two first places and two third places.

The only double winner for the meet was Blake Slobodnik in the 200 (2:05.20) and 500 free (5:53.56). In the 200, he dropped a second. In the 500, he dropped nine seconds.

“I think we did amazing this year with all the new people that came into the program. I was so happy to show Altoona that a little team like us can [still beat them] every way they turned,” said B. Slobodnik.

The only solo winner of the night was Jacob Decker in the 200 IM, where he worked off four seconds from his previous time. He also placed second in the 100 back, working off three second from the last meet.

Bishop Guilfoyle swimmer Matt Lenze secured two second places in both the 100 fly and 100 breaststroke. He improved by two seconds in the fly and by one second in the breaststroke.

Senior Austin Quinn placed second in the 100 free, working off four seconds to earn a 58.56 time. He also placed third in the 50 free.

Brendan Kowalski dropped three seconds in the 50 free, placing second in the process.

Bryce Bauer earned two third places in both the 100 free and 100 back. He improved by a second in both of the events.

“[It was] fantastic! We had one of the best if not the best meet of the season. The energy the team has is unbelievable and really fun to be a part of. It was great to send off our seniors with a win they all deserved it. I was happy for my friend, Fiona [when she broke the record]. I think it shows that the team is headed in the right direction for the future,” said freshman Lenze.

Collet placed third in the 200 IM while dropping six seconds in the event.

Maceno worked off seven seconds from his 500 free time, placing third at the meet.

Junior Matt Beam improved in both the 100 fly (1:24.95) and 100 back (1:26.56).

Ben DelBaggio dropped 13 seconds in the 200 free.

Nick DelBaggio improved by a second in the 100 breast.

Kaitlyn Knisely worked off two seconds in the 50 free, finishing with a 36.40 time.