The top swimming athletes from around the region converge on Scranton High School this weekend for the Les Richards Championship meet.

Action starts Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the diving competition. Then Saturday, swimmers hit the pool at 10 a.m. This season, the meet will be conducted with races on time, with the fastest-seeded athletes in the final heats.

Here are the top five female and top five male athletes to watch:

REBECCA OAKES

Scranton Prep

Last season’s Times-Tribune Female Swimmer of the Year is one of the top athletes in the state. The junior won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.75 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 59.47 seconds in 2025. This season, she is the top seed for the 100 butterfly (57.41) and the 100 freestyle (54.52). In addition, she competed on two winning relay teams for the Classics. At the Ernie Shartle Invitational, Oakes won the 100 fly (57.41) and the 100 free (54.52).

JASON CASPER

Abington Heights

He was the Times-Tribune Male Swimmer of the Year last season and is having an impressive senior year. He was the top performer at the Les Richards Championships last season, winning the 200 free (1:47.31) and the 100 butterfly (51.87). This season, Casper is the top seed in the 200 free (1:49.06) and the 100 butterfly (51.97). He was recently the top performer at the Ernie Shartle Invitational. Casper won the 500 free (4:52.40) and the 100 butterfly (51.97).

BRYNN WARRINER

Elk Lake

An outstanding swimmer in the sprints. The senior won the 100 freestyle last season with a time of 55.68 seconds. She also finished second to Oakes in the 50 free in an exciting finish. This season, Warriner is seeded second in the 50 free (25.50) and the 100 free (55.29). At the Ernie Shartle Invitational, Warriner had a season-best time of 25.50 in winning the 50 free and a season-best effort in the 100 free (55.29).

LUKAS IANNONE

Scranton Prep

He is a three-time All-Region swimmer and won the 200 individual medley (1:58.03) and was third in the 100 butterfly (52.94) at the Les Richards Championships last season. Iannone is the top seed for the 100 backstroke (52.73) and the 200 individual medley (1:54.78) for this year’s championship meet. He had a personal-best time of 53.21 in the 100 back and a personal-best time of 52.23 in the 100 fly at the Ernie Shartle Invitational.

HADLEY PALLMAN

Abington Heights

She has been the dominant performer in the distance races throughout the Lackawanna League season. Last season, she won the 200 freestyle (1:59.84) and the 500 freestyle (5:23.14) at the Les Richards Championships. This year, Pallman is the No. 1 seed in the 50 free (25.38) and the No. 2 seed for the 500 free (5:30.32). She won the 200 free in a personal-best time of 1:58.01 and the 100 backstroke at the Ernie Shartle Invitational.

DEREK WILLIAMS

Abington Heights

He is the fastest sprinter in the Lackawanna League. He won the 50 free (21.81) and won the silver in the 100 free (48.72) at the Les Richards Championships. Williams is the second seed for the 50 free (21.77) and the 100 breaststroke (1:04.19) for this year’s championship meet. He won gold in the 50 free (21.83) at the Ernie Shartle Invitational.

EVA KASZUBA

Scranton Prep

A returning All-Region and PIAA Class 2A medal winner, the dual-winter-sport athlete is the defending champion in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.69). Balancing her schedule as a starter for the Classics’ basketball team, Kaszuba won the 100 breaststroke in a season-best time of 1:06.12 at the Ernie Shartle Invitational.

ROY AYALA

West Scranton

He is having a record-setting season. Last season, Ayala won the 100 breaststroke (1:00.10) and won a silver in the 200 individual medley (1:58.76) at the Les Richards Championships. He is the No. 1 seed for the 100 breaststroke (59.55) and the No. 2 seed for the 200 individual medley (2:00.39) for this year’s meet. He won the 100 breaststroke (59.44) and the 200 IM (2:00.39) at the Ernie Shartle Invitational.

LIA OCHS

Hazleton Area

An outstanding all-around swimmer who competes in the Wyoming Valley Conference. She won the 200 individual medley (2:17.77) and the 100 backstroke (1:03.07) at the Les Richards Championships last season. This season, Ochs is the top seed in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle. She won two gold medals at the Ernie Shartle Invitational, winning the 200 free (1:58.70) and the 500 free (5:26.32).

JADEN BALTRUSAITIS

Tunkhannock

He is one of the top sprinters in District 2. He won the 100 freestyle (48.25) and was second in the 50 freestyle (21.87) at the Les Richards Championships. This season, Baltrusaitis is the top seed in the 50 free (21.65) and in the 100 freestyle (47.57).  At the Ernie Shartle Invitational, he won the 100 free (48.64) and was second in the 50 freestyle (22.12).