A visit with former WPIAL swimming champion Melanie Buddemeyer


Background Info: Melanie Buddemeyer is arguably the greatest swimmer ever to come out of the WPIAL. In her four years at Penn Hills, she ruled the WPIAL like no other before or since. The WPIAL and Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Famer remains the only female ever to win eight individual Class 3A titles in her career capturing the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 butterfly four times each. Before she moved on to college at North Carolina, the high school and college all-American and long-time member of the U.S. National Team put what has been a relatively permanent mark on the WPIAL. As a sophomore in 1982, she became the first person ever to break 55 seconds in the 100 butterfly and her record of 54.16 set as a senior at the WPIAL finals in 1984 remains the longest held mark currently on the books. She still holds the three fastest times in the event in WPIAL history. Her best time in the 200 individual medley, a 2:06.82 set in her senior year in 1984 remained the standard for 16 years until Amanda Smith of Seneca Valley swam a 2:05.81 in 2000.

Melanie Buddemeyer on her WPIAL experience.
"It was always, to me, exciting, because I got to swim for Penn Hills because Penn Hills was a community that was such a tight-knit, sport-minded community. I knew that, at the school and in the community, I had the backing of everybody and everyone was so supportive. Actually, to be able to represent Penn Hills, meant a lot to me."

Melanie Buddemeyer on her greatest high school accomplishment.
"I think two things and I never thought I’d say the one and my mother will be very proud. One is sports and one is academic. One is that I was able to maintain my (grades) and be the valedictorian. At the time I didn’t really think about it and, looking back in it, I’m proud of that now. Especially as a teacher (at Hopewell). I think, sports-wise, my senior year I was able to win the Dial National high School Scholar Athlete and I know that Bill Fralic was able to win that three years ahead of me. For me to bring that back to Penn Hills three years later meant a lot to me."

Melanie Buddemeryer on her legacy.
"Oh God, I didn’t know I had one. I think, if anything, swimming in Pittsburgh was not very well-known or very top-notch back in the 1980s and, if anything, I’d like to show that my swimming experience and my accomplishments that a small kid from Penn Hills can set out to accomplish what you set out to do. You can have goals and you can really fulfill your dreams."