Jackson Edwards is a powerhouse in the pool.
Edwards, a junior, won both the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke at the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships Feb. 26-27 at Pitt’s Trees Pool.
Edwards posted 48.97 and 48.88 times in winning the two events.
“My goals prior to this season were to max out my underwater kicks, and it is working well for me so far,” Edwards said. “Working on the little things and overall habits I have created this season made this possible.
“If you want to achieve a goal, don’t focus directly on the goal but the habits you have in your daily life. If you fix your habits, then you will achieve them much faster. I am grateful for the swims as a learning experience and to use it as a tool for states.”
The 6-foot, 175-pound Edwards also swam a leg on the Black Hawks’ medal-winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams.
“Jackson had a phenomenal meet,” said Mitch Schall, Bethel Park’s first-year boys coach. “He is one of the most talented athletes I’ve ever had the pleasure of being around. The sky is the limit for this young man, and I think the results reflect that — to not only bring home one individual win but two. The hard work he puts in speaks for itself.
“He was also able to snag two school records and an All-American time in the 100 backstroke.”
Edwards led the Black Hawks to a fifth-place finish in Class 3A with a 154-point total at the WPIAL meet.
“Our boys team overall had a fantastic meet,” Schall said. “I was very proud of how our small team competed against some of the toughest competition in the WPIAL.
“This young team had a lot of fight in it the whole year, and when it came time to come together at WPIALs, they showed up and competed.”
Jackson sparked the 200 medley relay unit to third place. He was joined by sophomores Caden Powell and TJ Strock and junior Connor Blocklin in the event.
“The relay did amazing, as well,” Schall said. “I am proud of those boys. Going into the meet, we knew we could fight for third in that race. All year, we were consistent in that race against some of the best teams.
“Those four boys stepped up and lit the pool up. Jackson had us in a great position off his start and the rest of the boys, Caden, TJ and Connor, were able to fight for that bronze medal with some great splits. This is a young and hungry relay team with all of them being underclassmen. I am excited to see what they can do because I think they can get even faster.”
Edwards was appreciative of the effort displayed by the Black Hawks this year.
“The Bethel Park boys had an amazing season,” Edwards said. “We lost some really great swimmers last year that graduated, but the boys really stepped up to fill those spots. I am very proud of our team.
“Our relay team consists of all underclassmen. I have very high hopes for next season.”
Sam Hoppe also was instrumental in the Bethel Park point production at WPIALs off his seventh-place showing in the 500 free (4:46.04) and 12th-place finish in the 200 free (1:47.85).
Hoppe, a senior, also competed in the 400 free relay for the Black Hawks.
Strock also had a busy time at the WPIAL meet. Along with swimming in the 200 medley relay, he participated in the 200 free relay, 400 free relay and placed 11th in the 100 butterfly in 53.12.
Blocklin and Powell ended up ninth (59.82) and 14th (1:02.06) in the 100 breast, respectively, and also competed in relays.
Blocklin swam in both the 200 and 400 free relays along with the 200 medley relay. Powell also participated in the 200 medley relay.
The Black Hawks’ secured seventh place in the 200 free relay in 1:28.27 behind the efforts of Edwards, Blocklin, Strock and junior Charlie Werts.
The 400 free relay team — Hoppe, Werts, Strock and Blocklin — finished 12th in 3:20.37. Werts’ twin brother Lincoln, also a junior, was a WPIAL qualifier, as well.
Rounding out Bethel Park’s team scoring at the district meet, senior Cooper Kicinski captured sixth place in the boys diving event with 284.45 points.
“I would just like to add, as a first-year head coach, I could have not asked for a better WPIAL swimming and diving championship,” Schall said. “Adding in Cooper’s diving points helped in the tight race for the top five.
“Every boy stepped up and contributed in some way, like captain Sam Hoppe in the 500 and 200 freestyles, Connor Blocklin and Caden Powell in the 100 breaststroke and TJ Strock in the 100 fly. Even first-time WPIAL qualifiers Charlie Werts and Lincoln Werts had an impact, whether it was on relays or in individuals.”
Schall emphasized that it was a team effort that propelled the Black Hawks into the top five.
“The future is bright here,” he said, “and that would not be possible without the foundation that was laid here before me, and with one of the top coaching staffs in our area, in my opinion.
“Kathy Strock, our girls coach, and diving coach Meg Stearman were integral to this success, as well. Along with assistants Lisa Serafin and Sally Hathaway, it truly was a team effort.”
The top five finishers in Class 3A were North Allegheny (483 points), Mt. Lebanon (255), Upper St. Clair (224), Peters Township (159) and Bethel Park.