Kaylee Hollenbach, of Lower Dauphin. James Robinson, PennLive
Which Central Pa. swimmers and divers medaled at the District 3 and PIAA championship meets?
Every athlete on this impressive list, in fact.
PennLive contributor Steve Navaroli and the PennLive sports staff compiled a list of the area’s best swimmers and divers of the 2016-17 season. Only competitors from the Mid-Penn Conference and the Lancaster-Lebanon League were eligible to be selected for PennLive’s all-area all-star team.
Read on to find out who earned an all-star nod from PennLive. Athletes are listed in alphabetical order with the girls swimmer of the year revealed at the end.
Kayla Barone, of Cumberland Valley. James Robinson, PennLive
Kayla Barone, junior, Cumberland Valley
Buzz: Barone won two district medals in Class 3A, a silver in the 200 freestyle and a bronze in the 100 backstroke, to qualify for the PIAA meet in both events.
Kaley Buchanan, of Hershey. James Robinson, PennLive
Kaley Buchanan, junior, Hershey
Buzz: Buchanan capped the season with three medals. She took silver at districts in both the individual medley and butterfly and was sixth in the IM at states in addition to her ninth-place finish in the butterfly.
Hershey's Myla Cramer. Vicki Vellios Briner, Special to PennLive
Myla Cramer, junior, Hershey
Buzz: Cramer qualified for the PIAA Class 3A championship meet in two distance events – the 200 and 500 freestyles, after placing fifth and third, respectively, at districts.
Lower Dauphin's Kaylee Hollenbach. Harvey Levine, Special to PennLive
Kaylee Hollenbach, senior, Lower Dauphin
Buzz: Hollenbach capped her Falcons career in grand style, tying for fourth in the 100 backstroke at the PIAA Class 3A meet and finishing in seventh in the 50 free. Her district medals included silver (backstroke) and bronze (50 free).
James Buchanan's Rachel Kimmel. Harvey Levine, Special to PennLive
Rachel Kimmel, junior, James Buchanan
Buzz: Kimmel was the fastest breaststroker in the Mid-Penn all season and didn't disappoint at districts, where she won gold. She also was second in the individual medley, and went on to medal in the breaststroke at the PIAA meet.
Kate Luft, of Northern York. Mark Pynes, PennLive
Kate Luft, sophomore, Northern York
Buzz: The sophomore bested a District 3 Class 2A record time in the 100 backstroke, although Luft placed second. She is the district 200 individual medley champ, and went on to earn two medals at states – silver in the backstroke and fifth in the IM.
Shannon McCabe, of Big Spring. Sean Simmers, PennLive
Shannon McCabe, junior, Big Spring
Buzz: McCabe finished second at both the District 3 Class 2A and PIAA Class 2A diving competitions behind former training mate Erica Sarver of West York. She should be in the running for gold in 2018.
Annabelle McCullough, of James Buchanan. Mark Pynes, PennLive
Annabelle McCullough, junior, James Buchanan
Buzz: After winning the District 3 Class 2A title in the 100 butterfly, McCullough went on to medal at states with her sixth place finish in the same event. She also made the PIAA meet in the 100 free after taking silver at districts.
Lauren Ober, junior, Warwick
Buzz: Ober placed third in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 breaststroke at the District 3 Class 3A championship meet. The junior was also huge on Warriors' relays, especially the silver-medal winning 200 medley.
Jenna Park, of Donegal (far left). Mark Pynes, PennLive
Jenna Park, sophomore, Donegal
Buzz: The independent won District 3 Class 2A gold in the 50 free and went on to earn bronze in the sprint at states. Park was also fourth in the 100 free at districts and qualified for the PIAA meet.
Emma Schouten, senior, Warwick
Buzz: Schouten won the District 3 Class 3A 100 breaststroke title and placed eighth at the PIAA meet in the same event. She was also fourth in districts in the individual medley and reached the state meet.
Hershey's Sally Tafuto. Vicki Vellios Briner, Special to PennLive
Sally Tafuto, junior, Hershey
Buzz: A terrific distance swimmer, Tafuto won gold in the 200 freestyle at the District 3 Class 3A championship meet and was second in the 500 free. She got on the medal stand at states with her eighth-place finish in the 500.
Sarah Wyant, of Trinity. James Robinson, PennLive
Sarah Wyant, junior, Trinity
Buzz: The sprinter earned a sixth-place medal in the 100 free at the PIAA Class 2A meet after taking bronze at districts. Wyant also won silver in the 50 free at districts to reach states.
Amy Yunginger, junior, Manheim Township
Buzz: Yunginger nearly duplicated her District 3 Class 3A 100 butterfly bronze at the PIAA meet with a stunning fourth-place finish.
Swimmer of the Year
Hershey's Caylene Rippon. Vicki Vellios Briner, Special to PennLive
Caylene Rippon, junior, Hershey
Buzz: Rippon took home gold in the 100-yard butterfly and silver in the 100 breaststroke at the District 3 Class 3A championship meet. She followed that up by winning a bronze medal in the butterfly at the PIAA Class 3A championship meet.
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