Houtz makes third trip to PIAA championships; MCs Bonson medals for Huskies

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: March 3, 2019

By Kenny Varner

UNIVERSITY PARK – She’s back in the “Big Show”!

Juniata swimmer Sydney Houtz punched her ticket to the PIAA Swimming Championships and did it record time.

Houtz, a junior, finished as district champion in the 100 backstroke, breaking her own meet record with a 57.51. This will earn her a trip to PIAA States at Bucknell in two weeks. This is her fourth district championship for her career.

Teammate and sister Emily has a strong showing in her event as well.

Emily Houtz (freshman) earned bronze in the 500 freestyle with a strong personal best of 5:43.76. This is her first district medal, after finishing 4th yesterday in the 200 IM.

“It was a good day. It was one that we hoped for coming in. Today turned out a little better than yesterday,” Juniata Coach Amy Houtz said. “ They seemed to get better as the meet went on. We’re anxious to keep moving.”

Mifflin County’s Hannah Bonson highlighted the day for the Husky swim team as she finished with a 3rd place finish in the 500-yard freestyle.

“It’s been a great season. They’ve all worked really hard. Like I said yesterday with all the roadblocks like the weather and with the pool closings and other obstacles. They still were able to have a phenomenal weekend,” Mifflin County coach Gretchen Seyler. “It’s been a great season and I am looking forward to next season because I have two junior boys that participated this weekend and will be coming back next year.

Unfortunately, we will have to say goodbye to some senior girls that just participated in the relay team. Two of my two leaders will be leaving and will be missed but we are hoping the younger girls can step up take their leadership roles.”

Her time of 5:34.01 was enough for a trip to medal stand. It was also a new personal best this season for her.

Starting off the event Saturday was Grace Parks and Julia Montgomery in the 100-yard freestyle.

Both PR’ed as Parks finished with a 1:12.24 while Montgomery finished with a 1:05.72.

In the boys AAA 100 freestyle, Calvin Ivie also did his season best, posting a 1:01.66.

Mifflin County got two strong efforts in the girls AAA 100-yard backstroke as Madeline Baisey and Ella Stuck finished with times of 1:10.43 and 1:04.49, respectively.

On the boys side, Ethan Andrews finished with a time of 1:00.17.

Senior Grace Parks hit a Personal best of 1:35.09 in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Teammate Ethan Patkalitsky finished fourth in his heat with a best time of 1:22.48.

In their final event of the night, the girls 400-yard freestyle relay consisting of Macy Becker, Ella Stuck, Morgan Robinette and Hannah Bonson finished the day with a fourth place time of 3:53.18.