Two things Harrison and Beyer shared in common after this weekend’s D10 Championships: They broke records and left with D10 titles.

Harrison, a Warren freshman, broke the school record on his way to D10 gold in the 200-yard individual medley at the Prep/Villa Hagerty Events Center and punched his ticket to the PIAA Class 3A Swimming Championships March 20 at Cumberland Valley High School.

Harrison finished with a time of 2:01.28, breaking the Warren Area High School record set by Curt Jablonowski in 1989. Much like Beyer did in Friday’s meet, Harrison flew by the rest of the field, winning by more than six seconds.

Also, much like Beyer on Friday, “I was the most nervous I’ve ever been before a swimming event,” Harrison said.

Submitted Photo Even with masks, it’s hard to miss the smiles of members of the Warren boys swim team after Saturday’s performances.

“I wanted the D10 title very badly,” said Harrison. “My qualifying time was the fastest in the 200IM, but in the postseason of swimming, it seems like anything can happen. I knew it was possible for me to win and I was really focused. Although I’ve been swimming for the YMCA for years, I’ve never competed at the high school level. I knew I could win and go to states, but I didn’t know if I could break the record today. My qualifying time was 4.5 seconds higher than the record of 2:02.00. I ended up dropping 5 seconds today. I didn’t know what to expect since this is my first year of high school training and tapering. Breaking the 200-yard IM record has been a goal of mine since last year. It was the oldest record on the high school record board, set by Curt Jablonowski in 1989.

“I felt well-rested this morning before the race and ready to swim fast,” said Harrison. “I could tell I was in the lead from the beginning and I did everything I could to make sure I finished strong. I’m pretty good at the butterfly and backstroke, and my freestyle has improved a lot this year. More recently, I’ve focused on my breaststroke. So I was happy to hear the commentators said they didn’t notice any of my strokes were particularly weak. I wanted my swimming to dominate this year. It was hard having mostly virtual meets this season because we didn’t get to see the kids we were swimming against in person. At the state meet in two weeks, my goal is to place as high as possible and to break 2 minutes in the 200IM.”

Beyer took the 200 free D10 2A title on Friday in 1:53.61, a new pool record at the Hallman Aquatic Center, qualifying for states March 19. She was more than three seconds in front of second place.

Beyer said she tried to convince herself it was just like any other race.

“I was nervous,” said Beyer. “That’s all I’d been all week… I just wanted the D10 title.”

Speaking of hardware, in addition to the girls finishers on Friday, all eight boys who swam in the 3A championships Saturday in Erie brought home D10 medals.

Warren coach Russ Beyer said the group stopped at Olive Garden for dinner on the way home and the swimmers were complimented by the wait staff on their accomplishments.

“They were beaming,”‘said Beyer. “Big smiles.”

On Saturday, Hugh Harrison also took second in the 100 butterfly. Max Harrison was a silver medalist in the 100 free as was the Dragons’ 400 free relay team of Hugh Harrison, Derek Hahn, Max Harrison, and Graham Carr. Connor Fehlman finished third in the 500 free. Hahn was fourth in the 200IM. Jack Seyler, Jared Peterson, Christian Johnson and Graham Carr finished fourth in the 200 free relay. Fehlman was sixth in the 100 breast.