Thomas Jefferson freshmen hope to shine in debut at WPIAL meet

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, February 26, 2018 | 6:36 PM

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Hallie Findlan and Luke Pletz didn't coin the expression “freshman sensation,” but they certainly have represented the notion well in their first year in the Thomas Jefferson swim program.

Findlan and Pletz, both freshmen, made a big splash at the varsity level, and kept improving as the season progressed.

Both have qualified in two individual and two relay events for the WPIAL finals to take place Thursday and Friday at Pitt's Trees Pool.

Findlan attained qualifying times in the girls 50 freestyle (26.12) and 100 freestyle (58.52); Pletz logged qualifying marks in the boys 100 butterfly (1:02.3) and 100 backstroke (1:02.8).

“Although we knew they were coming up into the program this year, Hallie and Luke have really exceeded any early expectations we had,” coach John Penn said. “Both Hallie and Luke made an immediate impact in our program.

“For the WPIAL championships, Hallie is seeded No. 4 in the 50-yard freestyle and No. 6 in the 100-yard freestyle. Luke also qualified for WPIALs in two individual events.”

Findlan lost only one individual event all season, a span covering 12 meets plus the section championships; that one loss was by .02 seconds.

“I enjoy swimming and the friendships I have made with my new teammates,” Findlan said. “I am looking forward to swimming at the WPIAL championships. We plan to swim our best to represent our school and our swimming and diving program.”

Findlan, 15, began her career in fifth grade, then started swimming competitively a year later. She is a member of the South Hills Aquatics Club with coach Steve Larkin.

At Thomas Jefferson, she also participates in the concert and marching bands, playing the clarinet.

Her favorite events in the pool are the 50 free and 100 free, along with the 200 individual medley. She qualified for the WPIAL meet in both freestyle events at the first meet of her varsity career against Brentwood.

“My TJ coaches and teammates have helped me to be more outgoing,” Findlan said, “and I am looking forward to our new pool and future swim seasons at TJ.”

Pletz, also 15, is looking forward this week to seeing how he measures up against top competition at his first WPIAL meet.

“I am going to be racing some of the fastest kids in the area,” he said, “and hopefully they can push me to get my best times and possibly a new TJ record.

“My freshman season flew by much faster than I thought it would. In the beginning of the season, I struggled to put up times that I thought were acceptable, but nearing the end of this season I am at my fastest yet.”

Pletz, a multi-faceted athlete who also participates in track and field and cross country, has been poolside or in the water for most of his life. He and his older sister Grace moved into West Jefferson Hills School District two years ago from Peters Township.

“I first started swimming before I could even remember,” he said, “but I started competitive swimming at 7 years old with the Peters Township Swim Club. Currently, I swim for Baldwin's Aquatic Club in the summer.

“My success in the pool has helped me with other sports, like cross country and track and field. My goal with these other sports is to letter every year and become a top athlete at TJ by my graduation.”

Pletz's strongest event in the pool is the 100-yard butterfly.

“I love this event because of the true difficulty of the butterfly, the power behind the stroke and the rhythm of everything together,” he said.

Four TJ relay units also have qualified for this week's WPIAL championships — the girls 200 and 400 freestyle, and the boys 200 and 400 freestyle.

For the girls, juniors Elena Savikas and Maura Gdovic, senior Bella Evans and Findlan are 200 relayers; while junior Grace Pletz, Evans, Savikas and Findlan compete in the 400 relay. Breanna Smith, a sophomore, also is in the mix for the relays.

The foursome of seniors Nick Majetic and Eddie George, junior Noah Georgulis and Pletz team up in both boys relays. Freshmen Ian Majetic and Christian Colosimo also are in the mix.

Savikas and Majetic have advanced to WPIALs in one individual event, thanks to times of 2:09.42 and 24.1 in the 200 freestyle and 50 freestyle, respectively.

In all, Thomas Jefferson has WPIAL qualifiers in 10 events this year.

Section competition

Several TJ swimmers sparkled at the sectional meet held Feb. 16 at South Park.

Findlan took first place in the 50 and 100 free, setting new meet records (25.12, 55.7) for both events.

Savikas secured fourth place in the 500 free, and sixth the in the 200 free; while the 200 freestyle relayers placed third.

Daisy Halliday, a junior, captured sixth place in the diving competition

Turning to the boys, Pletz took fifth place in the 100 and 500 free, Georgulis finished third in the 100 backstroke, and Majetic placed fourth in 50 free.

Jaguars lineup

Selena Porter, Alexis Plasynski and Miranda Stanley, a senior, junior and sophomore, respectively; plus freshmen Mia Olsen, Soliana Porter and Sierra Randolph round out TJ's girls team.

Halliday, Randolph, who placed seventh at the sectional invite, and George are the Jaguars' leading diving specialists.

Penn is assisted by Brian Peters, Jesse Durham and diving coach Amy Wroblewski. The TJ coaches welcomed seven freshmen into the program this season; there two only seniors on each of the boys and girls teams.

“This year has truly been a team effort, and each member of our entire squad contributed to our success,” Penn said. “Once we start in our own pool (next season), we will be able to grow our program further.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson