Sports

JAMIE A. RAUB jraub@timesleader.com

For Katlin O’Hara, taking first place in a district race was almost automatic.

The Wyoming Valley West senior capped her senior season with her 16th gold medal – eight coming from individual events – and a perfect record at the District 2 Class 3A Swimming and Diving Championships.

She was also a key component of the Spartans’ four consecutive district championships.

“If you had asked me when I was a freshman, I never would have thought I could have achieved so much,” O’Hara said.

For her accomplishments, O’Hara has been named the Times Leader Female Swimmer of the Year.

This year, the Times Leader all-star team was selected from swimmers and divers who compete in the Wyoming Valley Conference South Division, as well as Tunkhannock from the North Division. The selections were based upon performances at the District 2 Class 2A and 3A meets and the state championships.

O’Hara had a record-setting season in the pool for the Spartans, breaking school and pool records in the backstroke during the regular season. At the district meet, O’Hara cruised to a victory in the 100-yard freestyle (52.08), breaking Valley West grad Kristin Stretanski’s (52.65) mark set in 1992. She followed that by breaking her own record of 58.13 seconds in the 100 backstroke by posting a time of 57.85.

O’Hara was also part of record-setting teams in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays at districts.

“It’s a great feeling to have your name on a (records) board,” O’Hara said. “I’d like to see my records stand for a while. Sure, you’re always proud of yourself. But the great thing about a relay is you can swim great, but you need three other girls to swim great to really do well.”

Last year, O’Hara placed fourth in the 100 freestyle and fifth in the 100 backstroke at the state meet, but sickness and weather played a role in the outcome of the events at this year’s competition.

The senior sprinter came down with the flu just days before the PIAA Championships, but tried to recuperate and make a final run at state gold.

“I tried to tell myself I was ready to go,” she said after finishing 16th in the 100 freestyle (53.17) and 11th in the 100 back (58.83).

“It’s really tough when you’re seeded well and you know you can place, but your body just physically isn’t there for you.”

O’Hara’s run won’t end in the Wyoming Valley West pool, though. The Spartan standout is expected to attend Syracuse University on a full athletic scholarship.

“I hope to do the same events that I’ve done in high school,” she said. “But after talking to (Syracuse head coach Lou Walker), I may do some longer events. It’s good to be moving on. I don’t look at it as leaving (Valley West) behind, but going on to something bigger and better.”

Coming soon

Other Times Leader winter all-star teams will run on the following days:

Tomorrow -wrestling

Saturday - girls basketball