Throughout the winter months, it is usually cold and dark when Eva Kaszuba gets up in the morning and goes to sleep for much-needed rest at night.

Scranton Prep’s multi-sport athlete, Kaszuba, committed herself to playing on the girls’ basketball and swimming teams simultaneously. It is something the junior has done in the past, but this season it became more intense when she became a starter for the basketball team.

Understanding the demands on her time, which include being a standout student, Kaszuba has thrived.

On Friday, one day after playing in the District 2 Class 4A girls basketball championship final against Valley View, she will hit the pool for the District 2 Class 2A Swimming Championships at the Wilkes-Barre Catholic Youth Center.

“It’s been difficult,” Kaszuba said. It gets hard sometimes, but I have teammates who keep me motivated and keep me going. It is a mental battle as much as a physical battle. I have a love for both sports, and I want to be there for my teammates and best friends. I have a fantastic support system, including my friends and especially my parents.

“I just go out there, compete as hard as I can, and try to have fun.”

Pushing herself is nothing new to Kaszuba, who is an established triathlete and also competes on the Scranton Prep soccer and softball teams.

The winter sports season brings long days.

She is up for early morning swim practices, attends school, and then practices for basketball. To contribute to both sports requires cooperation from the coaches and teammates. It also forces the 17-year-old to be a master at time management.

On one critical day this month, Kaszuba and the Classics competed in a swim meet at Delaware Valley with a 4:30 p.m. start. Scranton Prep needed a win to clinch an undefeated record and the Lackawanna League championship. She raced and won the 100-yard breaststroke, was part of the winning 200 free relay, finished second in the 100 freestyle, and was a member of the 200 medley relay team in a 106-70 victory.

After a brief celebration with teammates, Kaszuba dried off, bundled up, hopped in a car, and headed to Wallenpaupack Area High School, which is 28 miles away. She arrived in time to contribute to the Classics’ basketball win over Wallenpaupack, 49-22, that kept forced a tie with North Pocono in the Lackawanna Division I standings.

“That was a rare experience,” Kaszuba said. “I can’t put it into words. The swim meet was exciting, and I had to focus on my races. Then, hopping into the car and flipping the switch for basketball.”

Kaszuba is one of the top defensive players in the Lackawanna League. She is also averaging 9.1 points per game. As a swimmer, she won the 100 breaststroke at the Les Richards Championship meet and at the Ernie Shartle Invitational.

Last year, Kaszuba was an All-Region swimmer after winning a gold medal in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.57) and a bronze medal in the 50 free (26.05) at the District 2 Class 2A championships. She also won an eighth-place medal in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.93) at the PIAA Class 2A Championships.

On Friday and Saturday, Scranton Prep athletes swim in the second session at 5 p.m. on both days. The Classics are expected to do well in their individual events and in the relays based on their success this season.

“I want to swim my races and do my job for the team,” Kaszuba said. “I am aiming to get my best times. It is me vs. me. The season has been tough, balancing everything, but I am in a pretty good spot. There is always room for improvement.”

Swimmers to watch in Class 2A

Lukas Iannone, Scranton Prep: He is the defending champion in the 200 IM (1:55.23) and the 100 breaststroke (58.43).

Jaden Baltrusaitis, Tunkhannock: Defending champion in the 50 free and won a silver medal in the 100 free (48.55).

Ben Kessler, Scranton Prep: He won the 200 free (1:47.87) and the 100 backstroke (54.96) last season.

Connor Runquist, Lake-Lehman: Won the 500 freestyle (4:59.08) last season.

Rebecca Oakes, Scranton Prep: Last year’s Times-Tribune Female Swimmer of the Year. She won the 100 fly (59.69) and the 100 free (53.93) last season.

Brynn Warriner, Elk Lake: Defending champion in the 50 free (24.96) and was a silver-medal winner in the 100 free (54.74) last season.

Maria-Lucia Priore, Dallas: Captured the gold in the 100 backstroke (59.82) last season.

Eva Kaszuba, Scranton Prep: She won the 100 breaststroke (1:06.57) and also won a PIAA eighth-place medal last season.

Swimmers to watch in Class 3A

Hadley Pallman, Abington Heights: Defending champion in Class 3A 200 freestyle and won a silver in the 500 freestyle (5:28.35)

Lia Ochs, Hazleton Area: She won the 200 IM and had a gold in the 500 freestyle (5:14.45) in a head-to-head battle with Pallman.

Katie Giermanski, Abington Heights: Captured the 50 freestyle last season with a time of 26.39 seconds and is a key member of relay teams for the Lady Comets. She also won a silver in the 100 free (58.02).

Gianna Vachino, Abington Heights: A senior and multiple-time District 2 champion. Last season, she won the 100 freestyle (56.62) in a 1-2 finish for the Lady Comets.

Jason Casper, Abington Heights: Defending champion in Class 3A 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly (51.70). He recently won gold medals at the Les Richards Championships.

Roy Ayala, West Scranton: Will have battles with District 4 standout, Williamsport’s Evan Summers. He was the District 2 champion in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke last season.

Derek Williams, Abington Heights: An outstanding sprinter for the Comets. He won the 50 free (21.55) and was second in the subregional 100 free (48.80) to Williamsport’s Keller Griswold (48.30), who graduated.

 

DISTRICT 2 SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

When: Friday and Saturday.

Where: Wilkes-Barre CYC.

Sessions: Friday — Class 3A at 11 a.m. Class 2A at 5 p.m. (200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 free, 100 butterfly, 200 free relay); Saturday — Class 3A at 11 a.m. Class 2A at 5 p.m. (100 free, 500 free, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 400 free relay).

Defending team champions: Class 3A Boys — Delaware Valley; Class 3A Girls — Abington Heights; Class 2A Boys — Tunkhannock; Class 2A Girls — Dallas.