Conestoga girls swimming team finishes fifth at States

The Conestoga High School girls swimming team finished in fifth at the PIAA Class 3A Championships, capping a successful 11-0 Central League season.
The state champion 200 free relay team of Caroline Apathy, Madison Ledwith, Sophia Poeta and Caroline Famous took first with a new Conestoga record time of 1:34.38.
Apathy, Ledwith, Poeta and Famous went on to take third overall and the bronze medal in the 400 free relay, breaking their own Conestoga High School record set at this year’s District meet with a time of 3:26.60. This was the first Conestoga girls relay team to win gold at States in Rob Kirkby’s 28 years as head coach. Given that the State Championship format was reduced to a timed finals format (one-and-done racing), the squad’s gold-medal swim was only the second time the girls had swam the 200 free relay together. The Conestoga girls’ 200 and 400 free relay times are automatic NISCA All-America honors.
Individually, Conestoga freshman Caroline Famous earned the silver medal in the 50 free with a time of 22.98 and gold in the 100 back with a time of 53.63, both new Conestoga High School records. Additionally, Famous achieved an automatic NISCA All-American cut in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle with a consideration time in the 100 freestyle.
Sophomore Sophia Poeta took 17th place in the 100 backstroke. Junior Madison Ledwith placed 11th in the 100 butterfly with a personal best time of 56.39 and earned a seventh-place medal in the 100 free with a time of 51.68.
In addition to her strong performances in both relays, Senior Caroline Apathy concluded her high school career in good form placing 12th in the 100 butterfly with a personal best time of 56.42.
This year’s seniors led by Caroline Apathy, Izzy Fan, Janashree Jonnalagadda, Bharathi Kolluru, Anna Mack, Carolyn Riggs, Courtney Sellig, Nicki Sepahi, Caleigh Sturgeon, Addy Wallace and Leah Bernstein, conclude their high school careers with a record 42-2 in league competition.