Heading into the PIAA State Swimming Championships at Bucknell University, Emmaus senior Alexander Muraro had his sights set on achieving a new school record for the Hornets.
That goal became a reality, but he never could have imagined that when he began his career in his sophomore year.
Muraro had a time of 45.79 seconds, which qualified him for 9th overall in the state, in the 100-meter freestyle. The time broke the school record set by Tom Schellin in 1985. The mark was tops in the state until it was broken in 1995. Still, the time stood as a formidable mark at EHS until Muraro's feat at the state meet about a week ago.
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Muraro’s record-breaking day didn’t stop there. He went on to achieve a new school record with his 50-meter leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay with a split of 20.01 seconds.
His motivation came from his coach, Tim O’Connor.
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“I never thought much of the records,” said Muraro. “But by mid-season of this year I had improved greatly and the record became more and more plausible. My coach had said to me that I had a good chance to break the record held by Schellin and that became my goal for States.”
O'Connor termed it "fascinating" that Muraro could have this kind of success swimming only since his sophomore year. He noted the potential that Muraro has heading off to college.
The record will now be displayed in the natatorium in Emmaus High School. Muraro hopes this will motivate future Hornets to beat the record.
“After I got the record I was so happy with myself, but shocked at the same time. It feels great to have a record on the board,” Muraro said.
O'Connor said he has not heard from Schellin but has since had contact with Mike Seip, Schellin's former coach and a mentor to O'Connor. Seip offered congratulations to Muraro for toppling the 26-year-old mark and asked for a photo of the record board with Schellin's name on it before that is replaced with Muraro's.
O'Connor said he has heard several comments in his 15 years with the program from Emmaus students with goals of breaking school records. Despite many excellent efforts, Muraro is the first.
The talented Muraro will head to West Chester University next year, where he will continue to swim on the NCAA level.
In addition to Muraro's outstanding state meet, both the boys' and girls' teams and their individuals did quite well. The following is a list of top finishers in their events. The boys' team finished sixth among 55 competing squads. The girls' team was ninth out of 52 teams.
Boys top finishers and their events:
50-yard freestyle: Third-Romain Decrop 20.95; Fourth-Alex Muraro 20.97
100-yard freestyle: Ninth-Muraro 45.79
500-yard freestyle: Tenth-Garrett Sharesky 4:36.95
200-yard freestyle relay: Third-Decrop, Sharesky, Ryan Woltornist, Muraro 1:23.58
100-yard breaststroke: Fifth-Decrop 57.49; 11th-Evan Paules 58.17
400-yard freestyle relay: Eighth-Muraro, Greg Ritchie, Sharesky, Decrop 3:10.03
Girls top finishers and their events:
200-yard medley relay: Fourth-Allison Roberts, Danielle Thomas, Taylor O'Brien, Taylor Iobst 1:46.44
200-yard freestyle: Seventh-O'Brien 1:51.12
100-yard butterfly: Seventh-Roberts 57.65
500-yard freestyle: Second-O'Brien 4:49.71
100-yard backstroke: Third-Roberts 54.93
400-yard freestyle relay: 16th-O'Brien, Maura Brennan, Iobst, Roberts 3:38.70