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Nick Buckley and Conor McKeirnan both have something in common, they've been to the PIAA State Swimming and Diving Championships at Bucknell University before. As seniors, they will get to share that one more time this week when McKeirnan, a Hollidaysburg Golden Tiger, and Buckley, a Huntingdon Bearcat, compete one last time on the big stage.
McKeirnan, who has won four district titles in his prestigious Golden Tiger career, is the lone Hollidaysburg swimmer competing this Wednesday in the 3A competition. He will swim in the 100 butterfly.
"I have been focusing specifically on the fly and trying to pace myself and work towards having better splits in the 50 because is the 100," McKeirnan said. "I've been working hard for two weeks now."
Buckley, who also has collected several district titles as both a solo and relay artist, is one of six Huntingdon swimmers headed to compete in the 2A field which runs on Friday and Saturday. He is also the defending state champion in the 50 freestyle, which he won in 21.22. Conner McBeth of Neshannock finished second last year in 21.26. This year, Buckley is seeded fifth while McBeth is seeded first.
"I'll admit that I am a little disappointed with my seed time and I was surprised by Conner's, but I also prepared differently for the postseason meets this year than I did last year, which resulted in the slower time at districts for me," Buckley said. "The different preparation will hopefully yield a faster time at states."
Buckley is also competing in the 100 freestyle, which he is seeded 24th with a time of 49.09. He is also swimming in both the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay. Both teams are seeded 32nd.
He is joined by Colby Grubb, who went to states last year with Buckley, along with newcomers Jaymen Edwards, Andrew Cunningham, Jake Tanner and Isaac Cummings.
"I think the biggest thing that Colby and I have been trying to relay to these guys is that this meet is definitely different than anything else they have experienced to this point," Buckley said. "It's important to take it all in as a learning experience for years to come. I believe that with continued hard work, a lot of these guys could find their way back to this meet again."
McKeirnan is seeded 28th in this year's fly at 52.01. The top-seeded time is 48.46. Last year, he was seeded 20th in the 200 freestyle and 27th in the fly. Besides his workouts to get ready for states, he also competed this past weekend at a YMCA swim meet in Ohio. And in case you were wondering, he didn't see that as a detriment to his upcoming state meet.
"I wasn't really swimming in events that would hurt me. It did not affect my workouts as I get ready (for states)," he said, pointing out that it gave him something to stay active in while waiting out the long time between districts and states. "I think it did help me in that aspect."
Buckley, who didn't pick up swimming until his freshman year in high school, also plays football and baseball at Huntingdon. He is hoping that despite whatever happens this week, swimming is something he will do at the next level.
"I'm glad that I found swimming when I did because I have been able to be passionate about swimming, and improve my skills in the short time that I have been swimming," he said. "In addition to swimming, I have also spent time developing my skills in football and baseball. I believe that being a well-rounded individual in athletics is as important as that same characteristic in academics and other areas of life. I hope my passion for swimming will lead to an opportunity to continue my swimming career at the collegiate level."
While Buckley will be surrounded by his coach, Melanie Varner, and five teammates and family, McKeirnan will have a smaller group, including coaches Deb Solomon and Tracy Flynn, along with his mom, Michelle, and a teammate, Olivia Day.
"I think I am more mentally prepared than when I was a freshman," McKeirnan said. "I know the blocks, I know the pool. I have gotten used to those things more now that I am a senior. It was pretty intimidating as a ninth grader, even as a sophomore, but now I don't pay attention to that and I just try to focus more on personal goals."