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Bellefonte’s Schnars collects third place on first day of PIAA State Competition

By Kenny Varner

 

LEWISBURG – Wednesday all eyes of the Pennsylvania swimming world were focused at Bucknell University, the site of the PIAA State Swimming Championships, were the Centre County area were well represented. Leading the way for the area were two local legendary programs in Bellefonte and State College.

Bellefonte’s days to shine were Wednesday and Thursday as it sent a total of four individuals and two boys relays to the “Big Dance”.

Bellefonte saved the best performance for last as Colton Schnars finished top in his heat, posting a time of 52.25. Rounding out the days first day action, Schnars moved onto the finals.

Schnars was just as strong in the finals as he took third in the night, placing him on the podium with a bronze medal.

Participating first on the day was the Bellefonte boys 200-yard freestyle relay. After a strong start in heat number three, the group put on a strong performance finishing fourth in their heat with a time of 1:42.20. They trailed leader Quaker Valley, Grove City and Clearfield in the race.

There was no rest for the weary as Grey Rockey, who participated in the relay race right before his individual 200-yard preliminary race, finished 7th in his heat with a time of 1:58.98. Overall, Rockey finished in 31st place.

But on this night it would be the swimming of Schnars that would lead the team to rally around him in the night cap, posting a third seed overall going into the medal round.

In the boys 50-freestyle, Finn Nixdorf finished 24th in his event, posting a time of 22.61.

Bellefonte will have some more chances Thursday to send swimmers up to the podium as Miranda Fedor (100-yard back stroke), Patrick Scordato (500-yard freestyle), Colton Schnars (100-yard backstroke) and the boys 400-yard freestyle relay team will look to reach the podium and proudly show their medals.

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