BUTLER TWP — Abigail Vance is a big reason why Troy Kroll speaks with enthusiasm regarding his Butler girls swimming team.

He watched the sophomore win the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events, along with helping both freestyle relays to victory in the Golden Tornado’s 108-76 win Thursday night over visiting North Hills.

“The moment never seems too big for her,” said Kroll. “She’s a very consistent swimmer, is a very hard worker and sets the tone in practice. And she does it all with a smile on her face.”

Vance laid a good foundation for her scholastic career by qualifying for WPIALs in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay last year as a freshman. She is part of a young squad laden with talent.

Dry-land training is helping Butler’s swimmers improve their speed in getting off the wall during turns.

“I can say that I actually enjoy coming to practice,” she said. “We’re still ramping things up and I want to make the first WPIAL cut in both of my events. I’m definitely best in the 100 and 200 (freestyles) and I’m within a second of making WPIALs in both of them.”

Kroll said that his top team in all three relays are dominated by underclassmen.

“They’re going to be around for a while and will be fast,” he said. “She (Vance) has the right mind-set to be our anchor.”

That’s the leg she swam on both freestyle relay wins against the Indians.

“That’s my favorite spot on the relays. You have to finish strong,” said Vance.

Abigail’s twin sister, Addison, won the 200 individual medley and butterfly and was also on both winning relays for the Tornado girls (4-2). Junior Emma Pflugh swam a leg in both victories.

The Vance sisters have been swimming for five years, getting their start with Alameda’s summer team before moving on to the Butler YMCA.

Butler’s boys fell to 3-3 on the season with a 103-71 loss to North Hills.

Keaton Matteson won the 50 and 100 freestyle events and swam the initial leg of Butler’s winning 200 freestyle relay. Freshman Daniel Birch had a hand in the win as well and also took first place in the backstroke.

Butler will compete at North Allegheny next Thursday in another Section 2-3A meeting.

Girls

Butler 108, North Hills 76

200 medley relay: North Hills 2:02.84

200 freestyle: Abigail Vance (B) 2:03.46

200 individual medley: Addison Vance (B) 2:16.16

50 freestyle: Ella Crowley (NH) 27.02

1-meter diving: Grace Persichini (B) 190.95

100 butterfly: Addison Vance (B) 1:03.85

100 freestyle: Abigail Vance (B) 56.57

500 freestyle: Annabelle Turner (B) 5:47.23

200 freestyle relay: Butler (Addison Vance, Emma Pflugh, Rylee Pflugh, Abigail Vance) 1:47.30

100 backstroke: Rachel Smith (B) 1:07.47

100 breaststroke: Amanda Bliss (NH) 1:16.44

400 freestyle relay: Butler (Emma Pflugh, Annabelle Turner, Addison Vance, Abigail Vance) 3:52.60

Boys

North Hills 103, Butler 71

200 medley relay: North Hills 1:46.87

200 freestyle: Brady Lawrence (NH) 1:57.90

200 individual medley: Dane Fazio (NH) 2:11.03

50 freestyle: Keaton Matteson (B) 23.58

1-meter diving: Sebby Wolff (NH) 132.80

100 butterfly: Conor Greer (NH) 1:00.86

100 freestyle: Keaton Matteson (B) 53.36

500 freestyle: Brady Lawrence (NH) 5:33.74

200 freestyle relay: Butler (Keaton Matteson, Daniel Birch, Noah Collins, Jackson Morgus) 1:36.98

100 backstroke: Daniel Birch (B) 1:04.06

100 breaststroke: Dane Fazio (NH) 1:03.72

400 freestyle relay: North Hills 3:35.77