Penn-Trafford swimmer Patton Graziano looking to finish senior season strong

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, March 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford senior Patton Graziano is hoping to end high school career on a good note.

A PIAA Class 3A swimming title would be preferred, but he’d be satisfied with breaking his records in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

He did that at the WPIAL swimming and diving championships March 1-2. He swam a school-record 45.89 seconds in the 100 freestyle and a 49.79 in the 100 backstroke.

Graziano was scheduled to compete in the PIAA Class 3A swimming and diving championship March 13-14 at Bucknell University.

He was set to compete in the individual events as well as the 200 freestyle relay with teammates Aaron Burdell, Nick Marucci and Conner Alexander.

The West Virginia commit placed third in the 100 freestyle and second in the 100 backstroke at WPIALs. In 2023, he won the WPIAL 100 freestyle and placed second in the backstroke. He placed fifth in the backstroke at states.

“I’m very proud of Patton and three other guys on the relay team,” Penn-Trafford coach David Babik said. “As far as placing in the state, as long as they better their times, I’ll be happy.

“If you swim your best and someone finishes faster, that’s out of our control. There are a lot of kids performing at a high level.”

Graziano said it means a lot to be heading back to the state championships.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Graziano said. “It’s what I’ve been training for all season. I just want to go and do my best. Of course I’d like to win a title. But setting a personal record would be just as satisfying.

“There are a lot guys swimming fast. It’s going to come down who is the best on that day.”

Alexander placed seventh in the 100 butterfly, scoring points for the team, but his time wasn’t good enough for states.

The 200 medley team placed fifth. That group included Graziano, Alexander, Burdell and Nick Truschel.

“I was really proud of all the kids,” Babik said. “They worked hard all season and they performed well.”

Laela Whetstone placed 10th in the 50 freestyle.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford