Any Altoona-Hollidaysburg sporting event typically brings out some pretty intense feelings in both players and fans, but Monday's swim meet struck a more personal chord.
Members of both teams joined together to raise about $450 to help find a cure for breast cancer. The event was inspired by Terri Robbins, mother of Hollidaysburg senior swimmer Sarah Robbins.
Terri Robbins, a teacher at Central High School, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and almost immediately started raising money for the American Cancer Society.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Gary M.?Baranec
Hollidaysburg’s Sarah Robbins is all smiles after winning the 50 freestyle Monday.
"We formed a team to raise money called 'Not Alone' because so many people came out to help me when I needed it," she said. "Between August and October we raised $5,000, and we want to raise even more this year."
She finished treatment in November and "things are looking good."
Sarah Robbins and teammate Sarah Kaneshiki each won two events to lead the Lady Tigers past Altoona, 108-59.
Robbins won the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly. Kaneshiki finished first in the 200 medley and 100 backstroke.
"Last year was rough, but things are a lot better now," Sarah Robbins said. "We've been raising money for a while now. This was a creative and fun way to do it."
Swimmers who donated or raised $10 received a pink swim cap, a pink tie-dye shirt, a pink rubber duck and specially made pink and black bracelets. Extra shirts were thrown into the crowd during a break in the meet. Special programs were also sold.
"I thought it was a neat idea," Altoona coach Andy Smearman said. "It's for a good cause and everybody got involved from both sides. It made the meet much more fun and only added to the spirit of competition."
Danielle Parowski won the the 100 and 200 freestyle events to lead Altoona.
"I know Terri from swimming with Sarah almost my whole life. It was nice the school board let us do this," Parowski said. "I was really happy to be a part of it because I had an aunt die from breast cancer."
The Hollidaysburg boys completed the sweep with a 110-60 victory. Matt Crum led the Golden Tigers with wins in both the 200 and 500 freestyle races.
Altoona's Alex Cummings triumphed in the 200 medley and 100 breaststroke.
"Alex had a nice meet," Smearman said. "He'll be a strong contender at the district meet and to advance to the state level."
BOYS
HOLLIDAYSBURG 110, ALTOONA 60
200 medley relay: 1, Hollidaysburg (Long, Colapietro, Crownover, Roberts) 1:49.99; 2, Altoona 1:51.14; 3, Hollidaysburg 2:04.39. 200 freestyle: 1, Crum, H, 2:00.94; 2, Brown, H, 2:03.84; 3, Heasley, A, 2:08.47. 200 IM: 1, Al. Cummings, A, 2:07.11; 2, Colapietro, H, 2:09.21; 3, Long, H, 2:14.60; 50 freestyle: 1, Roberts, H, 22.91; 2, Barthelmes, H, 24.78; 3, Hallinan, A, 25.42. 100 butterfly: 1, Crownover, H, 1:03.43; 2, Surkovich, H, 1:04.03; 3, Al. Cummings, A, 1:07.38; 100 freestyle: 1, Hallinan, A, 56.20; 2, Barthelmes, H, 57.25; 3, Grigg, 58.12. 500 freestyle: 1, Crum, H, 5:41.44; 2, Brown, H, 5:53.04; 3, Molinets, A, 6:04.02. 200 free relay: 1, Hollidaysburg (Grigg, Crownover, Rosser, Barthelmes) 1:40.98; 2, Altoona 1:46.58; 3, Hollidaysburg 1:48.94. 100 backstroke: 1, Long, H, 57.65; 2, Aa. Cummings, A, 1:04.64; 3, Rossman, A, 1:14.99. 100 breaststroke: 1, Al. Cummings, A, 1:03.44; 2, Roberts, H, 1:06.07; 3, Colapietro, H, 1:08.18. 400 free relay: 1, Hollidaysburg (Long, Crownover, Crum, Roberts) 3:41.35; 2, Altoona 3:54.62; 3, Hollidaysburg 3:54.81.
Records: Hollidaysburg (8-1); Altoona (5-1).
GIRLS
HOLLIDAYSBURG 108, ALTOONA 59
200 medley relay: 1, Hollidaysburg (Keefer, Grassadonia, Pond, Preston) 2:07.80; 2, Altoona 2:17.67; 3, Hollidaysburg 2:36.36. 200 freestyle: 1, Parowski, A, 1:57.05; 2, Grassadonia, H, 2:23.84; 3, McCalpin, H, 2:23.97. 200 IM: 1, Kaneshiki, H, 2:17.34; 2, Bistline, A, 2:39.37; 3, Pond, H, 2:45.15. 50 freestyle: 1, Robbins, H, 25.81; 2, Thompson, A, 26.92; 3, Preston, H, 29.89. 100 butterfly: 1, Robbins, H, 1:02.04; 2, Bistline, A, 1:16.19; 3, Pond, H, 1:17.32. 100 freestyle: 1, Parowski, A, 55.12; 2, Keefer, H, 1:03.96; 3, Preston, H, 1:09.01. 500 freestyle: 1, McCalpin, H, 6:35.88; 2, Taylor, A, 6:53.49; 3, Geist, A, 7:36.11. 200 free relay: 1, Hollidaysburg (Kaneshiki, Preston, Pond, Robbins) 1:51.63; 2, Altoona 2:02.40; 3, Hollidaysburg 2:06.38. 100 backstroke: 1, Kaneshiki, H, 1:02.88; 2, Thompson, A, 1:04.89; 3, Keefer, H, 1:09.73. 100 breaststroke: 1, Grassadonia, H, 1:19.44; 2, Yacobucci, H, 1:30.73; 3, Hammaker, H, 1:32.22. 400 free relay: 1, Hollidaysburg (Robbins, Keefer, Grassadonia, Kaneshiki) 4:07.72; 2, Altoona 4:51.25; 3, Hollidaysburg 4:59.30.
Records: Hollidaysburg (7-2); Altoona (2-4).
