By: Michael Love

Sunday, January 7, 2024 | 2:34 PM

Patton Graziano gained a second home in November as he signed a national letter of intent to swim at Division I West Virginia.

His first home, Penn-Trafford, is where he hopes to continue to make his mark in a senior season filled with high expectations.

The defending WPIAL Class 3A champion in the boys 100-yard freestyle said he is happy with his performances so far but knows there can be no taking the foot off the gas pedal.

“I am definitely happy with where I am right now,” Graziano said. “I am in a better place now than where I have been the past three years. I have taken advantage of some good training. I know there is still room for improvement and change before the championship season comes.”

Penn-Trafford coach Dave Babik said Graziano is performing probably a little bit better than how he thought he would to this point.

“He’s qualified for every (individual) WPIAL event I’ve put him in,” Babik said. “He still has to do the breaststroke. His times are pretty good. We’re happy with where he is at this point.”

Earning All-American honors this year is a goal for Graziano as is returning to the top of the medals podium.

Westmoreland County swimmers went 1-2 in the WPIAL 3A boys 100 free in 2023 as Graziano came from the third seed to claim the title, edging Hempfield’s Dom Falcon by 12 one-hundredths of a second.

Graziano was right back in the pool for the 100 backstroke, where he earned silver in a time of 50.39 seconds.

“Last year at WPIALs, it wasn’t easy,” Graziano said. “It was so competitive. You are constantly pushing yourself as you are being pushed by others. It’s a very fun meet, and I am sure it will be again this year.”

Graziano also helped the Penn-Trafford boys 200 medley relay place fifth and the 200 free relay finish seventh.

“There’s definitely that chance of repeating my events from last year, but there is room for change, depending on what the rankings look like as it gets closer to WPIALs,” Graziano said. “I will have a lot of good options, which is nice.”

Graziano said he is pleased with his decision to head to WVU and appreciates all who have had a hand in making it possible, including his mother, Kim, a coach at the Greensburg YMCA who also is one of Penn-Trafford’s assistant coaches.

Conversations, he said, with current Mountaineers freshman and Kiski Area graduate Parker Sterlitz and others helped him see that WVU was the best fit for him.

“I went down and got to meet the team, and it is such a great environment with swimming and everything else,” Graziano said. “The coaches really create a winning atmosphere. It all made the decision really easy. The recruiting process can be a little overwhelming, so when I signed, it was such a great feeling to know I was set to go to such a great place.”

Babik said Graziano is a model athlete and student and has a bright future.

“He is dedicated to becoming the best swimmer that he can be,” Babik said. “He works hard in the pool and weight room but is always refining his technique. He knows what times he wants to achieve and what it would take to achieve them. Patton is a good student and teammate. He is humble and quick to give credit to his teammates and coaches.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Michael by email at mlove@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Penn-Trafford