Gov. Mifflin girls’ relays turn in medal-winning showings at Bucknell

LEWISBURG >> Nobody can take anything away from them.

Not this time at least.

On the same weekend they physically handed the District 3 Class AAA Championship trophy over to Hershey High School, the Governor Mifflin girls swimming team turned in a solid showing during the PIAA Class AAA Championships held from Saturday, March 18 through Sunday, March 19 at Bucknell University.

Despite bringing just one senior for the ride to Kinney Natatorium, the Mustangs claimed medals in all three relays over the course of the two-day meet. Their 200-yard freestyle relay stood as the team’s highlight in the water, cutting 0.25 off their qualifying time from the District 3 Championships earlier this month.

Outside of the water, though, is where the Mustangs posted their most notable moment.

Gov. Mifflin was wrongfully awarded the District 3 Championship trophy at the conclusion of the meet earlier this month — a computer glitch causing an error on Hershey’s final score tally. Once the problem was discovered, the Mustangs were well on their way back to Mifflin.

After a recount, Hershey had edged Mifflin 331-329.5, changing the original score from 329.5-313.

The Mustangs knew the right thing to do and used the weekend as an opportunity to display good sportsmanship.

Both teams met in their respective hotel lobby on Saturday morning and made things right, the Mustangs handing over the trophy to its rightful owners.

“It’s been an eventful weekend, no doubt about it,” said Gov. Mifflin head coach Brady Stauffer.

And as for the meet itself?

“Last season was the first time I ever handed out a girls’ medal here at states,” he said. “This year we had all three of our relays. So it’s been a great weekend for our girls.”

Twinn Valley senior Hannah Schlegel closed out her senior season with a bronze-medal finish in the 500-yard freestyle in a season-best 4:55.55.

In addition to bronze in the 200 free, Mifflin finished seventh in the 400 free relay (3:29.95) and eighth in the 200 medley relay (1:45.91).

Sophomore Rebecca Brown and freshman Emma Steckiel each had a leg in both the 200 free and 400 free relays.

Individually, Brown finished 10th in the 50 free with a time of 23.76 while her teammates followed suit right behind. Steckiel finished up at 23.79 for 11th while sophomore Courtney Hubric took 12th with a 23.80.

“Our relays had a really strong showing,” added Stauffer, “but now we’ve got to work on getting those individuals onto the medal podium.”

Ava Enriquez was part of both the 200 medley and 400 free relays. Individually, she finished 14th in the 100 fly (57.29) and 21st in the 500 free (5:08.65).

Junior Rachel Johnson placed 18th in the 100 breast in 1:05.54. Exeter’s lone female qualifier, junior Brooke Bollinger, tied for 24th in the same event (1:05.89).

The team’s lone senior Neena Gollub, anchored the Mustangs’ 200 free relay.

Much like Hershey’s uncharted points in the original count, class won’t show up on the score sheet. However, its tale will always live on.

* * *

Coming off a dual-medal performance in the district championships, Exeter’s Matt Feryo had a busy weekend at Bucknell.

The senior, making his state championship debut, finished 13th in the 500 free with a time of 4:36.69 and was 20th in the 200 free (1:43.05).