A-K Valley athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Joslyn Filo, Deer Lakes’ Noah Loper

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 11:55 PM

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Joslyn Filo

School: Fox Chapel

Class: Senior

Sport: Swimming

Report card: Filo is the next one in a recent line of A-K Valley swimmers to go Division I. The Florida Gulf Coast commit will make her second trip to the PIAA Class AAA swimming championships at Bucknell on March 14-15. Filo finished second in the 100-yard butterfly (56.67) at last weekend's WPIAL Class AAA championships. She swam the third leg of the Foxes' 200-yard medley relay, which finished fourth (1:48.84) to earn a trip to states.

How long have you been swimming competitively?

Technically, I was in the water when I was 7 days old. Competitively, I was swimming since I was 4. I started at the Natrona Heights YMCA and Sylvan Pool during the summer.

How many hours a week do you spend in the pool?

About 12 hours.

How did it feel finishing up your last WPIAL championships?

I didn't think I was going to be as emotional as I was, but at the end of the meet all the emotions came out.

What goes through your mind when you're on the block and waiting for the whistle to sound?

I (have) this determined type of feeling. You have to be very focused (on the sound) and how you want your dive to be.

What is your favorite event?

I actually think the 100 butterfly is my favorite.

Your sister, Jaclyn, is a sophomore on the team. Is there any sibling rivalry there?

Not really. We actually swim different events. It doesn't matchup. It's one of my favorite parts of swimming is being with my sister.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

That everything will work out. Don't stress, work hard and have fun.

Who is your favorite swimmer?

Michael Phelps, and I also like Missy Franklin

How do you get prepared before an event?

I'll go up a little early so I can listen to music and block everything out.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Lil Uzi Vert.

What do you eat before a swim meet?

The night before I'll have pasta, and in the morning I'll have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

What three words best describe you?

Funny. Outgoing. Competitive.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

My grandparents, Michael Phelps and Drake.

What is your favorite subject at school?

History.

What are you going to study at Florida Gulf Coast?

I'm studying marketing, but, anything with business.

Why did you choose Florida Gulf Coast?

The weather is amazing. When I went down for my official visit I really liked the team, coach and atmosphere. It really felt right.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I can wiggle my ears.

Noah Loper

School: Deer Lakes

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Swimming

Report card: After falling short of qualifying for states as a freshman, Loper arrived at the WPIAL Class AA swimming and diving championships a year wiser and punched his ticket to the PIAA Class AA championships at Bucknell on March 16-17. He swam his way to a second-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (4:48.26) and finished eighth in the 200-yard individual medley. Loper also swam the first leg of the Lancers 400-yard freestyle relay team, which finished eighth (2:03.26) to move on to the PIAAs.

How long have you been swimming competitively?

For eight years. I started at Deer Lakes Aquatics Club, then I moved on to Fox Chapel swim club.

How many hours a week do you spend in the pool?

Around 14 hours.

How was the WPIAL championships different this time around?

I felt more confident. I knew what to expect.

What goes through your mind when you're on the blocks and waiting for the whistle to sound?

Actually, there's nothing that goes through my mind. My mind is blank.

What is your favorite event?

The 200-yard IM. Because I love swimming all of the different strokes.

Which is your favorite stroke to swim?

Freestyle.

Who is your favorite swimmer?

Michael Phelps.

How do you get prepared before an event?

I just try to sit down, clear my mind and think about what I have to do to get the time I want.

What do you eat the day of a swim meet?

I like to eat a lot of pasta or protein. A meatball or sausage.

What three words best describe you?

Athletic. Friendly. Determined.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Donald Trump, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

What is your favorite subject at school?

U.S. history.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I am very attracted to outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing.

What's the largest fish you've caught?

A carp. I don't know the exact measurement, but it was pretty heavy.

— William Whalen

Tags: Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel