PIAA Championships: La Salle earns State Runner-Up in Class 3A

LEWISBURG — It took an inspired effort in the very last, heart-pounding moments of Thursday night’s meet to keep La Salle from another Class 3A State Title.

The Explorers were closing in on their third consecutive crown and eighth in the last 11 years, but – in an amazing race – Seneca Valley raced to a victory in the 400-yard freestyle relay to push their point total to 188 and earn the 3A crown.

North Penn seized the silver in the 400 free, rising to third in the team scoring with 155 points, and La Salle raced to third in the relay, finishing with 174 points for the State Runner-Up.

“For the meet to come down to the final relay, after what everybody has been through (with the pandemic), I think it’s something that’s valuable,” said Explorers coach Stephen Duncheskie. “For all the spectators here, for all the swimmers here – everybody got their money’s worth.

“Seneca Valley is a team that has been up and coming. We knew they were the favorite coming in. But we left everything we had on the table and we’re very proud of the State Runner-Up.”

The Explorers got off to a strong start Thursday with a fourth-place medal by Quinn Buck in the 100 free (45.20).

Aidan Schnapf followed with a sixth-place medal in the 100 back (50.65).

“Our guys, all throughout the year, it’s been a steady balance of talent all throughout, led by our seniors, led by our captains,” Duncheskie said.

The Explorers added points in the consolation swims and headed to the 400 free relay. Tim Grossi, Ryan Wadsworth, Cole Faikish and Buck hammered out a 3:05.95 in a stacked heat – Seneca Valley went 3:05.37 and North Penn had a 3:05.53.

“I’m just so proud of the guys, the way they performed,” Duncheskie said. We left everything in the pool so we have no regrets walking out of this building.”