PIAA boys swimming: Meet the Top 5 swimmers to watch in Butler County
The smell of chlorine is in the air.
As the high school swim season gets underway, Butler County has a number of standout swimmers to keep an eye on, from defending district champions to up-and-comers who are striving to get to that point.
Here’s a look at who might make waves — pun intended — while wearing goggles and in local pools in the coming months, listed alphabetically:
A varsity newcomer, Bleicher has an intangible that translates to aquatic success, particularly in the freestyle and backstroke events.
“He has the advantage of being insanely long,” Knights coach Allison Springer said. “He has very long legs, very long arms. We tried to special order him warm-ups this year because the pants don’t fit. They’re too short.”
Bleicher has experience swimming for the Butler Barracudas.
Lamb broke the WPIAL championships’ 100-yard backstroke record last season as a member of North Catholic’s team, swimming that event in 48.68 seconds at Pitt’s Trees Pool, then he set the PIAA Class 2A record with a 48.08 to win gold. He’s also WPIAL Class 2A’s defending 50 freestyle champion.
He also anchored North Catholic’s 200 freestyle relay. Lamb will swim this year wearing a Planets cap as part of a co-op with Mars.
Lavorini medaled in the WPIAL Class 2A 200 IM and 500 freestyle last season, swimming in the latter at states. He also competed on Knoch’s district meet 20 freestyle and medley relays.
Lavorini has embraced being a role model for younger Knights swimmers.
“Having that mindset has kind of altered the way he swims,” Springer said. “He works just as hard. He’s still that same sponge when it comes to swim knowledge.”
At the WPIAL meet last season, Morgus swam on the Golden Tornado’s 200 freestyle and medley relays. He also qualified for districts in the 100 freestyle and backstroke.
“Last year, when we had the group of boys, he was one of those guys,” Kroll said. “This year, it’s his year to have the spotlight.”
Tarbi competed in WPIAL Class 2A’s 100 and 200 freestyle championship races last season.
“Whatever he’s swimming for, I think that he always wants better for himself,” Yellowjackets coach Sheryl Schrecongost said. “He’s a hard worker, and when he puts his mind to it … his success will come.”
