Liberty High School is sending six swimmers to the PIAA State Swimming & Diving Championships this weekend at Bucknell University.

Seniors, Evan Smith, Brandon Hlavaty, and Jacob Jones, sophomore, Julia McCarthy, and freshman, Robert Negron qualified for states after the District XI meet last month.

McCarthy is seeded 15th in the 200 IM and 26th in the 100 breaststroke.

Liberty swimming coach Reik Foust said, "We're trying to extend her taper for two weeks. She's doing a little bit of yardage. We're working on her hand speed to keep her tempo up. Nothing super intense. She's been receptive to it, and she's looking good."

McCarthy broke the Hurricanes' school record in both events at districts.

"Jules did attack the backstroke more this year. She was in it for the whole thing at districts," said Foust.

Negron is seeded 21st in the 50 free.

"He just has a really, really good attitude about it. Things just don't bother him. He's very coachable and accepting of suggestions. He swims a great race when he attacks his turn," Foust said.

At practice, Foust splits the Hurricane swimmers into groups with Foust in charge of distance, Evan Kocon in charge of strokes, and Jeff Matyus in charge of sprints.

"Robert really thrived in the sprint group, and Jeff loved having him. He can mentally have a picture in his head and then emulate what you're trying to tell him," said Foust.

Negron will also compete in the 200 free relay, along with Evan Smith, Brandon Hlavaty, and Jacob Jones.

"We had two kids sick at districts, but they swam great for how they were feeling," Foust said.

Jones swam a :21 this past weekend at a meet in York, Pa., and Hlavaty should be back to :21 at states as well, after swimming a :23 at districts.

At this point, Foust has not decided on the order of his swimmers for the relay, although some lobbying has begun because a school record could be broken on the first leg of the relay.

"We could swim anybody lead off and anybody anchor, and they're going to swim their best times anyway. They really do work fantastic together," said Foust. "Evan just has a calming effect on everyone. He expects everyone to swim their best and appreciates 100% effort. He says it, and he also lives up to it."