Marian's Danny Berlitz had a remarkable showing at the District 11 Swimming Championships a couple weeks ago with two individual first places and district records in both events.

With the PIAA Class 2A State Meet beginning Thursday, notification that he is seeded first in both races was great news for the sophomore."I've been training hard, working on all the small things, and perfecting it," Berlitz said."I've been going over each stroke, the flip turns, underwater dolphin kicks, everything; just trying to shave off seconds anywhere I possibly can."The Marian swimmer is entered in the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle, two races that require both talent and endurance. Berlitz swam 1:54.02 in the 200 IM at districts to break the record (1:57.62) he set a year ago. His time of 4:35.82 in the 500 free also set a new standard, topping the old mark of 4:39.04.With the week and a half that has elapsed between districts and states, Berlitz is content with the schedule of events at Bucknell University on Thursday and Friday."I kind of like it and I think it's good for me, because you raced at districts, then you get a chance to settle down, then train hard again, before taking a little bit of a rest before the next competition," said Berlitz, who earned a fourth at states in the 500 free and a fifth in the 200 IM as a freshman."I know there will be a bull's-eye on my back and people are going to hit and people are going to miss. I'm hoping to go in and try and win two gold medals."His motivation, focus and natural talent allow for some lofty expectations, but in order for those goals to come to fruition, Berlitz said a few things need to happen."I just need to perform and execute perfectly," he said. "Technique-wise, meet-wise, and competition-wise, everything will need to be spot on."There are things I know I do well and things I don't, but whatever is under my control, I'll be aware of."Other Times News area swimmers that will be competing at States are Marian's Katie Kurzinsky, seeded 15th in the 100 backstroke, and 22nd in the 50 freestyle; Tamaqua's Rebecca Kanaskie (23rd in 100 breaststroke); Angelina Krupko of Marian (28th in 100 breaststroke); Marian's Tim Dando (24th in 200 freestyle); and Northern Lehigh's Wyatt Delans (26th in 100 breaststroke).