James Buchanan

Final day of PIAA swimming nets 3 more 2A medals

LEWISBURG — Franklin County swimmers in Class 2A brought home three more medals as the PIAA Swimming & Diving Championships concluded at Bucknell University on Saturday.

James Buchanan senior Rachel Kimmel posted the best prelim time Saturday morning in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.19), and bettered that time in the final to 1:03.04. But she was edged by Gwynedd Mercy’s Annie O’Dare. It was the best finish ever by a Rocket swimmer.

Also in the same event, Shippensburg freshman Julia Strine, who qualified eighth in the prelims (1:06.12), ended up finishing seventh in the final in 1:05.96. She broke her own school record in the event.

For the boys, the Greyhounds’ Sam Nonemaker earned his second medal of the competition, taking fifth in the 100 freestyle. Nonemaker, a senior, posted a 47.27 in the morning to qualify sixth, then he hit 47.20 in the final to move up one spot.

Also in the prelims for the boys, Ship junior Elijah Zinn was 26th in the 100 free (49.70), and there were two disqualifications — the Hounds’ 400 free relay team and JB senior Nick Garbinski, who was seeded fourth in the 100 breaststroke.

In the girls prelims, the 400 free relay team of Strine, sophomore Madison Osanitsch, junior Madelyn Facchinei and sophomore Makenna Morris was 12th in 3:42.04. In the consolations, Ship placed 12. Also, Osanitsch qualified 20th in the 100 backstroke in 1:00.21.

In the boys team standings, Shippensburg was 23rd and the Rockets were tied for 45th. The Lady Hounds finished 22nd in the girls team race and JB was 27th.