Anthony Sipple always has the challenge of trying to keep pace with his family’s history with the Penn Hills swimming program. Sipple, who also plays golf and baseball for the Indians, doesn’t consider his time in the pool as his main focus with sports.

He does, however, still want to hit strong times and compete in the WPIAL meet. Sipple, whose sisters Stephanie, Kristen and Lauren also competed in the program, has hit WPIAL cuts in the 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.

“It’s been incredible seeing all my sisters before me,” Sipple said. “It’s given me a lot of expectations to live up to.”

The Indians have seen several athletes hit qualifying times for the WPIAL Class 3A championships. Emily Ruperto qualified in the 100 back, 200 free and 200 IM. Mikael Epperson also qualified as a diver.

Sipple said he was most eager to try and qualify for the 100 back.

“I started out two seconds away from it, but I was able to make that cut in a matter of weeks,” he said.

Last season, Sipple competed at WPIALs in the 50 free, 100 back and 200 free relay. He feels like he has gotten much faster since last season, something he credits to coach Morgan Bush. Sipple said he wants to try to do the best he can at the district championships.

“My goal for the rest of the season is to just enjoy my time with this group,” he said. “I’ve already accomplished everything I wanted to, and now there’s nothing more to do except enjoy my last few high school meets with this great group and prepare for WPIALs.”

Comfortable win

Penn Hills saw another dominant performance from Amon Hawthorne to help the Indians celebrate senior night. Hawthorne knocked down six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 30 points to help Penn Hills defeated Propel Andrew Street, 83-30, on Feb. 3.

The Indians only gave up two points in the first quarter, building a 32-2 advantage. Aiden Thompson added 16 points for Penn Hills, while Calix Clark finished with 14.

All Penn Hills matchup

The Indians’ girls basketball team took on a short-notice opponent for senior night. Redeemer Lutheran, the opponent with the shortest possible trip, answered the call to fill the spot.

The Indians picked up a 57-14 win to move to 9-10 on the season.

Penn Hills originally had a game scheduled with Obama Academy, but it had to be canceled because of conflicts with the weather. Outgoing Indians athletic director Steph Strauss sent an email to schools in Western Pennsylvania looking for an opponent.

The Rams were able to play Penn Hills.