“Making Waves: Lady Patriots Aim for Another Stellar Swimming Season!”

Brooke Hintze, who accumulated points in last season’s subregional competition both as an individual and as part of relays, returns to spearhead the Pittston Area girls swimming squad.

The Lady Patriots recorded a 6-5 performance in the Wyoming Valley Conference last season and have commenced with a 1-0-1 record.

Last season, Hintze placed 10th in the 500-yard freestyle when Pittston Area ended up seventh out of 11 teams in the District 2-4 Class 3A Subregional, making her the sole returning athlete who was among the top 12 individually. The junior was instrumental in achieving a fifth-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay and a sixth-place in the 200 freestyle relay.

Senior Kaitlyn Kozlowski was part of the 400 freestyle relay team.

Senior Gabby Gorzkowski and junior Elinor Schardien are the other returning swimmers, having participated in relay teams during the subregional contest.

The additional experienced swimmers on the roster include seniors Nina Albertelli, Ashlynn Selden, and Ali Butcher, along with sophomore Gianna Martinelli.

Overview of the Boys

Seniors Frank Garcia, Jake Grzech, Josiah Lyons, and Tanner Osborn, alongside sophomore Elijah Lyons, are the returning members of the Pittston Area boys swimming team.

They contributed to the overall score when Pittston Area finished 11th among 14 teams in District 2 Class 2A.

Last season, the Patriots ended with a 3-8 record in the WVC.

Pittston Area girls 92, Tunkhannock 92

Pittston Area and host Tunkhannock concluded in a tie during a WVC meet on Wednesday.

Pittston Area girls 112, Nanticoke 38

Gabby Gorzkowski triumphed three times and secured a second-place finish to guide the offensive when Pittston Area kicked off the WVC season on December 10.

Gorzkowski clinched victory in the 50-yard freestyle and was part of winning teams in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

Brooke Hintze, who won the 200 freestyle, and Ali Butcher, who took first in the 200 individual medley, were also integral to both relay victories.

Hannah Garcia, the other member of the two victorious relay teams, acquired a second place in the 50 freestyle.

Ashlynn Selden triumphed in the 100 butterfly, adding seconds in the 100 breaststroke and 200 medley relay.

Gianna Martinelli secured victory in the 500 freestyle while also being a member of a relay team that finished second.

Elinor Schardian achieved three second-place finishes and one third.

Nina Albertelli claimed seconds in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly.

Margaret Gruber, Natalia Gonzalez, and Elysia Conflitti placed second in two events.

Bailey Staton, who also finished third, and Jemma Mead were among those with second-place finishes in relays.

Jess Soroka was third in two events while Olivia Pantucci, Vivian Katchkus, and Elizabeth Howells each secured third place once.

Tunkhannock boys 144, Pittston Area 29

Tunkhannock proved to be too strong for visiting Pittston Area in Wednesday’s WVC competition.

Pittston Area boys 69, Nanticoke 56

Tanner Osborn, Frank Garcia, and Jake Grzech each achieved three victories and a second-place finish to lead the Patriots in the December 10 opener.

Osborn won the 200- and 500-yard freestyles along with the 200 medley relay, while coming in second in the 400 freestyle relay.

Garcia clinched victory in the 50 freestyle and placed second in the 100 freestyle; he also contributed to wins in the 200 medley and freestyle relays.

Grzech emerged victorious in the 200 individual medley and in two relays.

Vincent Burgio seized the 200 freestyle title while also adding to second and third-place finishes.

Michael Gubitoso recorded a second and a third.

Jaylin Moore triumphed in diving uncontested.