Butler’s Simon Bianchin is one of the county’s top returning swimmers this season and is hoping to quailify for the WPIAL championships. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

The temperatures are getting colder outside, which means it’s time for local high school swimmers to start competing at indoor pools.

Here are the top Butler County swimmers to keep an eye on during the PIAA season, listed in alphabetical order:

Bianchin has come close to meeting the standard for the WPIAL championship meet in the breaststroke and butterfly. He’ll aim to get to the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph C. Trees Pool this time around.

Davis was recovering from shoulder surgery last season, but figures to be a key piece for the Planets this time. Mars coach Karen Guise feels Davis, a 50- and 100-yard freestyle swimmer, will be out to make a name for himself in the district.

Feath earned a ninth-place finish in the 50 freestyle (21.85) and placed 15th in the 100 freestyle (49.00) at the WPIAL Class 3A title meet a season ago.

“His versatility across sprint free and backstroke adds depth to the lineup, and with increased experience he is expected to challenge for the top eight spots in multiple events,” Raiders coach Brian Blackwell said.

Freeport’s Eli Hassler has versatility as a veteran swimmer in multiple disciplines, and he holds the Yellowjackets’ 100-yard breaststroke record. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Hassler is adept at swimming the 100 breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and 200 individual medley events. He’s a multi-year WPIAL qualifier who holds the Yellowjackets’ program record in the 100 breaststroke.

Mars’ Preston Heynes helped the Planets’ 200-yard medley relay team make states last season. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Heynes placed 13th in the 200 freestyle (1:46.93) and 17th in the 500 freestyle (4:57.23) at the WPIAL Class 3A title meet last season.

Haynes also races on the Planets’ 200 medley relay, which finished sixth in the WPIAL (1:37.22) and made states last year.

Seneca Valley’s Triston Sasala hopes to build off a freshman season that saw him medal in WPIALs in the 100-yard backstroke. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Blackwell believes Sasala is “one of the top young backstrokers in the district.”

As a freshman, Sasala finished eighth at the WPIAL Class 3A championships in the 100 backstroke (54.52). He also qualified in the 50 freestyle (27th, 23.00).

The Rockets are rebuilding after having lost half of their swimmers from last year to graduation. Stauffer promises to be a big contributor in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle.