Pooling her assets
Butler's McElhaney shines against Mars; Golden Tornado, Planet swimmers split dual

By Derek Pyda 
Eagle Staff Writer 

BUTLER TWP — Jillian McElhaney has one shot left to reach an elusive goal. 
As a freshman in March 2013, she swam at the PIAA Class AAA championship meet as a member of the Butler girls' school-record setting 200 medley relay team. 
“That was an awesome experience and I want to get back,” she said. “It was frustrating not making it the last couple of years.” 
McElhaney, now a senior, swims the 50 and 100 freestyle events for the Golden Tornado and won both of those events with times of 26.13 and 59.04, respectively, in an 86-84 home loss to Mars on Thursday. 
“My goals early in the season are to get my 50 time down to 25-low and 55 (seconds) in the 100,” she said. 
“She's working hard and doing whatever she needs to do,” said Butler coach Dave Bocci. “She was very close to getting to states in the 50 last year, missed it by about two-tenths of a second. Hopefully, this year with a little different training and the experience she has, she'll get there.” 
The Tornado earned a split as the boys defeated Mars 87-80. 
Joining McElhaney as double-winners for Butler's girls (0-2) were Emma Weiss (100 butterfly, 200 IM) and Rachel Ledford (200 freestyle, 100 backstroke). 
“Rachel is only a freshman and is a welcomed addition to the team,” said Bocci. “She should be making the (WPIAL) cut in the backstroke soon. She's a very promising talent.” 
The Planet girls (1-1-1) won despite having just two wins — Taylor Hockenberry won the diving event and Megan Hooper was awarded first place in the 100 breaststroke after a disqualification on Butler. Mars did manage second place in nine of the 12 events. 
“Second and third-place finishes, that's what wins meets,” said Mars coach Hans Bergh. “We have 17 girls on the team and if we find the right matchups, we could have some strong relays for WPIALs. It's a really diversified group of girls.” 
Boys Butler 87, Mars 80 
Brothers Joey (200 freestyle, 100 freestyle) and Alex Deemer (50 freestyle and 500 freestyle) picked up a combined four individual wins for the Tornado (2-0). 
They both contributed to Butler's win in the 200 medley relay, along with Nathan Callithen and Tukker Uniatowski. 
“Alex is just a freshman and has filled a huge hole for us in the 500 freestyle event,” said Bocci. 
Uniatowski also won two events for Butler, topping the field in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly. 
Senior Jimmy Pierre, who has qualified for the WPIAL meet three straight years and the PIAA meet the last two years, won the 100 backstroke for the Planets (2-1). 
Girls 
Mars 86, Butler 84 
200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Rachel Ledford, Morgan Keelan, Emma Weiss, Jillian McElhaney) 2:02.2 
200 freestyle: 1-Rachel Ledford (B) 2:11.24 
200 individual medley: 1-Emma Weiss (B) 2:25.23 
50 freestyle: 1-Jillian McElhaney (B) 26.13 
1-meter diving: 1-Taylor Hockenberry (M) 294.3 
100 butterfly: 1-Emma Weiss (B) 1:03.87 
100 freestyle: 1-Jillian McElhaney (B) 59.04 
500 freestyle: 1-Morgan Keelan (B) 5:56.22  
200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Caitlin Moss, Morgan Keelan, Vanessa Wissinger, Alyssa Lamberto) 2:07.57 
100 backstroke: 1-Rachel Ledford (B) 1:06.5 
100 breaststroke: 1-Megan Hooper (M) 1:25.59 
400 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Jillian McElhaney, Emma Weiss, Rachel Ledford, Morgan Keelan) 4:05.36 
Boys 
Butler 87, Mars 80  
200 medley relay: 1-Butler (Nathan Callithen, Tukker Uniatowski, Joey Deemer, Alex Deemer) 1:44.36  
200 freestyle: 1-Joey Deemer (B) 1:53.41 
200 individual medley: 1-Tukker Uniatowski (B) 2:04.16 
50 freestyle: 1-Alex Deemer (B) 24.22  
1-meter diving: 1-Joe Whaley (M) 115.75 
100 butterfly: 1-Tukker Uniatowski (B) 56.31 
100 freestyle: 1-Joey Deemer (B) 50.5 
500 freestyle: 1-Alex Deemer (B) 4:58.5  
200 freestyle relay: 1-Butler (Alex Wigton, Zach Callithen, Nathen Callithen, Trai Kish) 1:43.11  
100 backstroke: 1-Jimmy Pierre (M) 57.66 
100 breaststroke: 1-Austin Gilstrap (M) 1:12.33 
400 freestyle relay: 1-Mars