“From College Choices to Championship Dreams: Kira Schrecongost’s Journey to Gold”

By: Michael Love


Monday, January 6, 2025 | 9:20 PM

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Shortly after competing at the 2024 PIAA Class 2A swimming championships, in which she secured a silver medal in the 100-yard butterfly final against Bedford prodigy and U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier Leah Shackley, Kira Schrecongost initiated a connection that ultimately would transform into her future home for both swimming and academics.

“(Duquesne women’s swim) coach David Sheets recognized me because I raced against his daughters, but I wasn’t on (Duquesne’s) radar until nearly the end of the season,” expressed the Freeport senior star and team captain.

“The assistant coach contacted me at the time. The week after states, I attended a meet in Virginia, where coach Sheets’ daughters were competing as well. I conversed with him, and before I knew it, I was on a visit the first weekend of April. It all occurred so suddenly.”

Schrecongost persisted in building rapport with the Duquesne coaches and team members, leading to a verbal commitment before solidifying her choice during the early signing phase in November.

“I was incredibly thrilled to sign with Duquesne,” Schrecongost remarked. “I made my choice, and I knew it was what suited me best. That was the largest burden lifted off my shoulders. Finally signing, I could exhale again. I am pleased that the recruiting phase is over.

“There exists such a strong team culture (at Duquesne). I was acquainted with some of the girls currently on the team. I was just ecstatic about the prospect of potentially joining the program.”

The conclusion of the process has afforded Schrecongost a sense of ease as she continues to achieve impressive times in her final season with the Yellowjackets. Her times in her primary events are comparable to or better than her times from the end of the previous season.

“My senior year has been passing by so swiftly. It’s now my graduation year,” she commented. “It feels like just yesterday I was walking on the high school pool deck as a freshman.”

One of her numerous individual and team objectives for the season is to clinch her third WPIAL title in the 100 fly.

She captured the women’s open 100 fly title at the annual Pitt Christmas meet last month at Pitt’s Trees Pool with a time of 56.32, narrowly edging out Mt. Pleasant star and N.C. State commit Lily King (56.57) for gold.

King specializes in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyles.

“(King) is among the finest swimmers I know, and having the opportunity to swim against her in my best events was a beneficial stepping stone,” Schrecongost stated.

Last year, Schrecongost secured the Class 2A 100 fly WPIAL title with a time of 55.37 and placed second at states (55.87).

“That (Pitt Christmas meet) shifted some gears in my mind,” she mentioned. “I’m achieving my best times. I’ve never been this consistent in swimming this early in the season. It feels promising. I am genuinely excited for the remainder of the season. I am aware I can improve my times when it’s time for WPIALs.”

Schrecongost has already qualified for WPIALs in the 100 fly, 200 individual medley, 100 backstroke, 50 free, and 100 breaststroke.

She aspires to advance in the 200 IM after finishing fourth in the event last year, trailing Hampton’s Lainey Sheets, Shady Side Academy’s Ava Jochims, and Knoch’s Giona Lavorini.

“Kira demonstrates greater strength at this stage than she has in previous years,” noted Freeport coach and Kira’s mother, Sheryl Schrecongost. “She feels well, and she appears fantastic in the water. I observe increased confidence in her swimming abilities as well as in her leadership as a captain. She appears more at ease, and that enhances her performance.”

The Freeport girls team boasts a 3-0 record overall and 1-0 in Section 3-2A following last Thursday’s victory over Northgate.

The Yellowjackets placed fifth overall at WPIALs last year, and Schrecongost plays a vital role in leading a core group that includes returning WPIAL members like fellow seniors Mary Anne Altman, Isabelle Barton, and Danielle Park; junior Joy Beck; and sophomores Kasey Schrecongost and Hannah Altman.

“We maintain good depth and balance, allowing us to cover numerous events and score points,” Kira Schrecongost stated. “We have several strong girls returning, and some truly talented freshmen making an impact as well. We’re all enthusiastic about what we’ve achieved thus far and our efforts during practice. We have a lot of energy. I believe our most significant section meet will be against Hampton (Jan. 23). That will be an exciting match.”

Kasey Schrecongost is back after securing a pair of WPIAL medals last year: a third place in the 100 back and a seventh in the 100 free.

Mary Anne Altman, along with Kira and Kasey Schrecongost, were part of the WPIAL silver-medal 200 medley relay, while those three, along with Parke, placed sixth in the 400 free relay.

Freeport lacks a pool; however, this year, the swimmers for the boys and girls teams practice together three times a week at Highlands High School.

“It is one of the finest opportunities we’ve received for our team,” Schrecongost commented. “We have never practiced together before. It’s wonderful to work on skills as a unit and to bond more as teammates.”

Michael Love is a TribLive journalist covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A native of Clearfield and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Tags: Freeport