Peters Township High School has made two consecutive top four finishes in the WPIAL Class AAA Boys' Swimming and Diving Championships.

Indians coach Dave Becki is hoping to continue that streak when the diving competition begins tomorrow.

"North Allegheny is the defending champion and a strong favorite to repeat," Becki admitted. "It could be one of the best teams in WPIAL history.

"Mt. Lebanon also has a very strong team. It would take a great performance to finish in front of either team. But I do feel we are capable of another top-four finish."

The WPIAL championships begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow with the diving competition at South Park. The swimming competition will be held at 10 a.m. next Thursday and Friday at Pitt's Trees Pool.

"We are one of the smallest teams in Class AAA," Becki said. "To finish among the top four in the WPIAL two years in a row is quite an accomplishment for a school of our size.

"It's a testament to the hard work we put in every day in the pool, the guidance our coaching staff has provided and the great support we receive from the athletic department and administration."

The top performer from last year's squad, Matthew Connor, has moved on to the University of Connecticut. Connor won WPIAL titles in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. He also earned a bronze medal as a member of the Indians' 400 freestyle relay team. Connor also won a gold medal as a member of Peters Township's 400 freestyle relay team as a junior in 2007.

"Matthew is a very talented swimmer who is now competing at the collegiate level," Becki said. "It would be nice to have another double champion this year."

Senior Sam Pletz was a two-time WPIAL champion his sophomore year. He won gold medals in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay and claimed a silver medal in the 100 freestyle.

Last year, Pletz won a silver medal in the 200 freestyle and bronze medals in the 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay team.

"Sam is going to Kenyon College," Becki said. "They have one of the best [Division III] swimming programs in the country.

"He will be swimming the 100 and 200 freestyle and two relays again this year. He's capable of doing big things at WPIALs."

Pletz's younger brother, Jake, is also in the picture. A talented sophomore, he has the fourth best reported time this season in the 500 freestyle.

"Jake has the classic look of a swimmer," Becki said. "He's long and lanky at 6 feet 2 with long arms. He's a great athlete who swims freestyle and butterfly."

Senior Jason Grimm was a member of all three relay teams last year, and earned a bronze medal as a member of the 400 freestyle relay. He also placed 10th in the WPIAL in the 100 freestyle.

"Jason was a member of the Peters Township Swim Club when he was younger, then moved out of state for four years," Becki said. "His family moved back when he was a sophomore, so he's been with us the past three years."

Grimm has the fourth best time in the 100 backstroke.

"We also have two very talented freshman," Becki said, referring to Andrew Rich and Tom Phillips. "Andrew is the most promising freshman we've had in a long time. On a good day, Andrew is as fast as anybody in the WPIAL."

Rich has recorded the fourth-best time in the WPIAL in the 200 individual medley (2:02.24) and 100 butterfly (53.79).

Becki also is expecting good performances from seniors Casey Dunleavy and Nick Pahountis, and junior John Flaherty. Unfortunately for the Indians, senior Ryan Higgins has been lost for the season with an injury.

Juniors Kyle Falbo and Danner Schratz give the Indians two solid divers. Both finished among the top 25 in the WPIAL last year.

"I'm very fortunate to have two very talented coaches to work with," Becki said. "My assistant Kim Armstrong is the real brains behind everything. Amber Meeks has done a great job with the divers. I have the easiest job in the world."