back, she joined a local summer swim club to meet new friends. That decision helped shape her passion for the sport and her friendships with the people she now swims with on her high school team.
One of those early friendships was forged with Delaney.
“ I have known Delaney for almost as long as I have been swimming,” she says.“ She is an incredibly gifted swimmer, and it is fun to finally be on the same team after seeing each other at meets and competing against each other for so long.”
Ellie has also proven her own talent. As an eighth-grader, she earned her first junior national cut in the 1650 freestyle.
“ I was shocked when I looked up at the board and saw my time because I was more focused on getting cuts in some other events,” she recalls.
This season, her focus remains on personal improvement. She says,“ Ultimately, swimming is about beating yourself, and I definitely want to see how I have improved,” she says.
At the same time, she is thrilled with the supportive Foxes’ team environment and the collective positive energy.
“ The atmosphere on this team has been amazing,” Ellie says.“ The group has done a phenomenal job of welcoming me. I think there is incredibly strong leadership and coaching, making it a fun and supportive environment.”
WPIAL Medalists and PIAA Qualifiers & PIAA Medalists
WPIAL Girls
WPIAL Boys
Boys 50 Yard Freestyle Owen Nguyen * – 8th Place( tie)
Boys 100 Yard Butterfly Nathan Agens * – 5th Place( 51.20)+ Arman Alborzi – 6th Place
* State Qualifier + New School Record ox Chapel Area
FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS
Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay * – 1st Place Cameryn Brindza, Ellie Lange, Josie Stanczak, Delaney O’ Toole
Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Charlotte Rusche * – 2nd Place Maren Shelkey-Bray *– 5th Place Nico Ressler * – 6th Place
Girls 200 Yard IM Ellie Lange * – 1st Place Cameryn Brindza * – 9th Place
Girls 50 Yard Freestyle Delaney O’ Toole * – 1st Place( 22.97)+
Girls 100 Yard Butterfly Josie Stanczak * – 4th Place
Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay * – 2nd Place Josie Stanczak, Tuuli Airik, Norah Kovach, Charlotte Rusche
Girls 100 Yard Freestyle Charlotte Rusche * – 5th Place Josie Stanczak * – 6th Place
Girls 500 Yard Freestyle Ellie Lange * – 3rd Place Nico Ressler * – 5th Place Maren Shelkey-Bray * – 6th Place
Girls 100 Yard Backstroke Delaney O’ Toole * – 1st Place( 54.13)+ Cameryn Brindza * – 4th Place
Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay * – 1st Place( 3:27.38)+ Ellie Lange, Nico Ressler, Charlotte Rusche, Delaney O’ Toole
Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay * – 6th Place Arman Alborzi, Hayden Kang, Owen Nguyen, Nathan Agens
Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay – 6th Place( PIAA Alternate) Arman Alborzi, Hayden Kang, Owen Nguyen, Nathan Agens
1 Meter Diving Gosha Pistsov * – 4th Place
PIAA Girls
Girls 200 Yard IM Ellie Lange – 1st Place
Girls 50 Yard Freestyle Delaney O’ Toole – 2nd Place( 22.81)+
Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay – 3rd Place( 1:34.67)+ Josie Stanczak, Tuuli Airik, Charlotte Rusche, Delaney O’ Toole
Girls 500 Yard Freestyle Ellie Lange – 2nd Place( 4:51.82)+
Girls 100 Yard Backstroke Delaney O’ Toole – 1st Place( 54.15)+
Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay – 2nd Place( 3:25.04)+ Josie Stanczak, Ellie Lange, Charlotte Rusche, Delaney O’ Toole
FOX CHAPEL AREA | SPRING 2026 23