Rupert siblings maintain family’s swimming tradition at Pine-Richland

By: Jerin Steele
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

There are five siblings in the Rupert family, and each one shares a connection that goes beyond growing up in the same household.

All five are swimmers, which has helped develop their bond as brothers and sisters.

Three Rupert siblings — Reece, Gavin and Brooke — currently swim together for Pine-Richland and are part of five brothers and sisters who have been in the program.

Their oldest brother, Shane, swam at Pine-Richland and is on the swim team at Penn State Berhend. They also have a younger sister in seventh grade who is part of the junior high program.

“It is really unique to see, because most families don’t have five kids, let alone five that do the same sport,” Reece said. “It is pretty cool. I’m disappointed I won’t get the chance to swim with my youngest sister, but it is pretty neat that we’ve all gone through the program with coach Pete (Barry).”

Reece is a senior, Gavin is a junior and Brooke is a freshman.

They got a unique introduction to swimming.

Neither of their parents were competitive swimmers.

Reece said it all started with Shane going to a pool party and not being able to swim as a kid. Soon after their dad, Jeff, signed Shane and Reece up for swimming lessons.

Their siblings followed suit and soon enough all five were in the pool.

Each one has grown into a competitive swimmer.

Reece swims the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle, as well as relay events. He qualified for states in the 100 fly and 100 backstroke last year and has hit qualifying times for WPIALs this year in all four of his individual events.

Gavin also swims four events: 200 freestyle, 100 fly, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle. He has only swam one meet this year, but is working on his fitness to qualify for WPIALs like he did a year ago.

Both participate in Pine-Richland’s relay teams.

There’s some crossover in their events, so naturally they have to race each other. That’s provided some healthy competition.

“My main motivation when I’m racing is not letting (Gavin) beat me at least until I get out of high school,” Reece said.

Gavin hopes he can break that streak, but also sees the positives team-wise with how they compete with each other.

“One thing with us being brothers that helps is that it pushes us in relays when we are swimming together,” Gavin said.

Both brothers have provided mentorship for Brooke in her first season of varsity action. Brooke swims the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

“I really like it,” Brooke said. “It’s different from club swimming. During (high school) meets it’s more hyped up. I really like how we do stuff together after practices. I also enjoy swimming with my brothers.”

She’s working on hitting WPIAL qualifying times and plans to join her brothers at the district meet.

“My goal is to make all my cuts for WPIALs,” Brooke said. “Once I get there I want to keep improving my times. I just want to gain more experience with the team, since it’s my first year.”

Reece is also on the Pine-Richland baseball team and is planning to play baseball in college, so this will likely be his last year of competitive swimming. He wants to go out on a high note, but also be a positive influence on future generations of Pine-Richland swimming.

“This year I’d love to lead my team and push them in the relays,” Reece said. “I also want to make states again in my individual events and place a lot higher. Another thing that’s important to me is to give the team motivation and prepare them moving forward to keep our tradition.”

Gavin was part of the relay teams that made states last year. He wants to join his brother in some individual events, but most importantly wants one last weekend together in the pool at the end of a long season.

“Hopefully we can take the team to states and make it to relays to do it all together,” Gavin said. “I want to enjoy the experience at states. It’s pretty fun up there knowing that everyone worked so hard to make it there.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Pine-Richland