One of Zoey Wilson’s desires for this season was to follow in her brother’s footsteps, but injuries plagued her season.
Zoey Wilson, a Hempfield ladies swimming crew senior, specializes in the two hundred-backyard freestyle. Her brother, Zane, had an adorned swimming profession for the Spartans from 2013-17.
Zane holds the team file in the hundred backstrokes, changed into twice named all-state honorable mention in one hundred lower back and two hundred IM, and turned into an All-American in the 200 medley relay and four hundred freestyle relay.
“He’s an exceptional brother and role version,” Zoey stated. “He has outstanding morals, stands up for himself, and shows wonderful sportsmanship. He has taught me many life instructions, and I am grateful to be his little sister.”
Zane does not swim competitively but remains near the water as a midshipman and mechanical engineering principal at the U.S. Naval Academy. He wanted to enroll in the military because of his grandfathers, who served in the armed forces.
“When (Zane) left for Plebe Summer, it turned into a tough adjustment for me,” Zoey stated. “I changed into so used to having him through my side. I found out I can’t continually rely upon him. However, I understand he always has my return.
“I wanted to retain the Wilson legacy. Zane became a fantastic chief. He made every swimmer feel protected. I wanted to hold that alive and make an impact. I desired to ensure absolutely everyone knows they’re essential. I wish the Wilson call never dies out years down the street.”
While Zane opted for the army, Zoey plans to retain her research and swimming at St. Francis (Pa.) as exercise physiology foremost. Then, she will cross for her doctorate in bodily therapy.
“Making my university selection turned into very hard,” she stated. “I had splendid faculties with wonderful reputations, coaches, and swim groups. After that, academics become the determining thing. St. Francis is known for its physical therapy program, and they have the complete exercise physiology and physical therapy application right on campus.
“Also, my adolescenteam has continually been to become a swimmer. Coach Kyle (Almoney) and the ladies left an outstanding influence on my visit. They’re now targeted not just inside the pool but in their academics properly. The swim crew had the highest GPA in the whole NCAA final spring. I recognize that is whether it is supposed to be, and I am unbelievably excited.”
Zoey, like her brother, changed into a four-year competitor at Hempfield. But, unfortunately, it changed into a damage-riddled time for her.
“It has been a tough four years,” Zoey said. “We reached a factor where we thought maybe we might swim again. I had concussions in eighth grade, and their outcomes lasted until the summertime, earlier than 11th grade.
“I went from being a quite first-rate age organization swimmer to barely being able to swim a 50-backyard event without getting a headache. I’ve put in a ton of labor in the pool and weight room to make up for time lost. It’s crazy to peer how a way I’ve come.”
Zoey has been certified for WPIALs four times and states as a junior and senior. She has been a WPIAL and Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association medalist and become an 8-time WPIAL medalist.
This season, Zoey suffered a thoracic sprain and a sprain again at her group’s first meet and was in recovery mode after that.
“Going into WPIALs, I sincerely didn’t have any particular goals,” she said.
Zoey placed fourth in the 200 freestyle and eighth in the 100 freestyle on the WPIAL finals.
Other WPIAL medalists for Hempfield were senior Gavin Mayo, a North Carolina recruit who won the boys’ 50 freestyle and took 0.33 in the 100 backstrokes, and sophomore Brian Wilson, who tied for seventh in the 50 freestyle.
The Spartans’ 200-yard freestyle relay (Mayo, Will Falcon, Todd Wilson, Brian Wilson) also took 0.33 area. The two-hundred-meter medley relay (Mayo, Todd Wilson, Nolan Steeley, Anthony Peila) placed fourth.
Mayo is an All-American inside the 50 freestyle.
