Steady improvement.

In any sport, that’s usually the goal.

For a number of area swimmers and divers, that will definitely be their mission when they head to the PIAA State championships for Friday and Saturday’s Class 2A meet.

And if they’re successful doing that, earning medals will follow right along.

“I think my goals, above all, are just to drop time and get faster,” said Marian senior Michael Strucko, who is making his fourth trip to Bucknell for states. “As long as I can make it a win for myself personally, then that’s success ... I think as long as I drop time and improve personally, I think that’ll be a good meet for me and I’ll be happy.”

Strucko is one of six athletes from the Times News area who will be participating in individual events. Also making the trip to Lewisburg will be his sister, Lydia Strucko, Tamaqua’s duo of Savannah Wilson and Shaylee Gormley, and Northwestern’s Hayden Slaski and Harper Slaski.

In addition to the individual events, the Tamaqua girls will have two relay teams in action at states.

“For the upcoming state meet, we are very excited to have two relays qualified in addition to two individuals,” offered Blue Raider head coach Jen Paisley. “We’ve been training hard since districts, because our goal is to improve our placement from last season in the events we’ve already participated in at the meet.

“We are hoping to be back for finals in our qualifying events, but we appreciate the privilege it’s been to be able to compete at the state level, so we are happy with whatever may come this weekend.”

The Struckos and Wilson managed to make the finals a year ago and bring home medals, and are in position to do so again this weekend.

Michael took fifth in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 200 freestyle last season. He is entered in both events again this year. His time of 49.64 in the 100 back ranks second among qualifiers, while his 1:43.28 puts him third in the 200 free.

“The 2free is a tough race,” he said. “It’s probably not possible to win that, but I think if I can come out in second that would be a big win for me. The 100 back will be a much closer race. I want to win, I want to go for it, I’m going to give it my all and put everything out there.”

His main competition in both races will be Schuylkill Valley’s Owen Eisenhofer, who’s seeded first in the two events.

Like her brother, one main competitor stands between Lydia Strucko and the top seeds in her races — the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.

The junior has the second best times in both the 100 butterfly (57.49) and 100 backstroke (55.68), which trails only Lainey Sheets of Hampton. Strucko earned a sixth-place medal in the backstroke last year.

“Going in, I’m honestly just focused on myself and my own times,” said Lydia, whose fly time is just .28 behind Sheets. “Obviously, she’s a phenomenal swimmer ... I’m not worried about where I place, just improving as an individual and my times on their own. And if it works out in my way and I can get bumped up, that would be great, but honestly I’m not worried about that.

“I definitely look forward to states. After experiencing it the past two years, I just truly feel that it’s unlike any other meet, just with the energy and the excitement that the environment creates for you. I definitely think there’s an extra bit of adrenaline and motivation to swim fast when you know that you’re competing against so many outstanding swimmers.”

When talking about outstanding swimmers, Tamaqua’s Wilson has to be included in the discussion.

The Raider senior, who placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke to medal last season, is seeded higher in the event this year. She enters the state meet No. 3 with a time of 1:04.96, and trails the second-seed by only .36.

Wilson will also compete with teammates Janna Brown Kate Behun and Shaylee Gormley in the 400 freestyle relay (seeded 23rd), and with Behun, Audrey Nattress and Ava Jones in the 200 medley relay (seeded 20th).

Gormley, who is making her first appearance at states, will also be swimming the 50 freestyle. The freshman enters with a time of 24.82, which is 19th. She is just .05 behind 16th place, which would get her into the B finals.

“We are very excited to have two relays qualified in addition to two individuals,” noted Paisley. “Our medley relay will be swimming Friday, along with Shaylee in the 50 free. On Saturday, Savannah will be swimming the 100 breaststroke ... as well as the 400 free relay.”

The other Times News state participants are the Slaski brothers from Northwestern, both divers. Hayden is looking to return to the medal stand after finishing seventh a year ago. The junior enters as the fourth seed. His younger sibling, freshman Harper, is 11th.

For all the area 2A state qualifiers, as well as the others from District 11, the extra time off this year could prove to be beneficial. Unlike last season when states occurred soon after districts, there’s been a two-week span between the two events this year.

“We have an extra week in between,” said Michael Strucko. “We have two full weeks of training in between, which has really helped a lot because we were able to do a full-length reset and get some good training in before we taper for states. So, last year was a quick turnaround which I definitely think hurt me a little bit.

“I wasn’t able to go as fast as I wanted to, and I think my body wasn’t in as good of a spot. But, this year there’s been a lot more time, and I think so far it’s benefiting me and I hope that carries over to the meet.”

His sister echoed those thoughts, and is looking forward to competing with her brother at the high school level one last time.

“In swimming, I think one of the biggest things when it comes to swimming at big meets is tapering, which is just a matter of how rested you feel,” said Lydia. “And going into districts, we weren’t tapered ... we’re now able to feel rested going into states which hopefully will help us drop some more time. It’s definitely very important.

“It’s been a phenomenal experience being able to compete with him the past few years. It’s really helped each of us grow as swimmers, just to be able to experience all these wonderful meets and events with our high school teams. I think he’s really locked in and ready to go for his last hurrah. It’s been awesome.”

State swimming schedule

(involving area participants)

Friday, March 13

Boys 200 Freestyle (Michael Strucko, Marian) - Prelims 8:21 a.m., Consis/Finals 4:45 p.m.

Girls 200 Medley Relay (Tamaqua) - Prelims 10:55 a.m., Consis/Finals 7 p.m.

50 Freestyle (Shaylee Gormley, Tamaqua) - Prelims 11:39 a.m., Consis/Finals 7:45 p.m.

Girls 100 Butterfly (Lydia Strucko, Marian) - Prelims 11:49 a.m., Consis/Finals 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 14

Boys 100 Backstroke (Michael Strucko, Marian) - Prelims 8:43 a.m., Consis/Finals 5:05 p.m.

Girls 100 Backstroke (Lydia Strucko, Marian) - Prelims 11:46 a.m., Consis/Finals 7:40 p.m.

Girls 100 Breaststroke (Savannah Wilson, Tamaqua) - Prelims 12 p.m., Consis/Finals 7:55 p.m.

Girls 400 Freestyle Relay (Tamaqua) - Prelims 11:56 a.m., Consis/Finals 8:10 p.m.