Southeastern Pennsylvania sports notes

Villa Maria Academy senior Kate Riddle, who has been riding horses since she was seven, has received a combination academic/athletic scholarship to Baylor University, where she plans to ride for the equestrian team.

The Chester Springs resident told her mother that she wanted to learn to ride and began taking lessons. She now competes with two horses of her own, Hazel and Logan.

"I went to a barn and got hooked on horses and riding," Riddle said of her career, which has taken her to the Devon Horse Show and the Pennsylvania Horse Show, among other major events.

"I contacted a lot of Division I schools [with riding programs]," Riddle added. "I sent out DVDs and put up a video on YouTube. I had an official visit to Baylor this past fall, and I loved it."

Baylor is in Waco, Texas, a long way from Riddle's home.

"I'll miss home," she said, "but I'm excited about going."

According to Riddle, the Baylor team has about 70 riders divided into English saddle- and western saddle-style groups. She rides an English saddle.

"Less than 10 team members usually go to the equestrian meets, which are held just about every weekend in the spring and fall," Riddle said.

Most of the meets involve only two schools. The NCAA championships, with multiple schools, are held in the spring.

Besides the nationals, Riddle also has her eye on the Olympics coming up in 2012.

"I've set my goals pretty high," she said.

Explorers eye big splash. The La Salle swim team, which finished third in the PIAA Class AAA championships last March for the second consecutive year, expects to see some top competition Saturday at the Wilson Relays in West Lawn.

That's just what coach Frank Lichtner is looking for, since joining the PIAA has made the Explorers give up some longtime rivalries. PIAA-member schools are limited in the number of meets they can participate in each season. Also, non-member schools playing PIAA schools must meet the governing body's eligibility rules.

The Explorers are the District 12 champs.

"Since joining the PIAA, it's not been as easy finding teams that have the number of swimmers and depth that we have," said Lichtner, whose Explorers have not lost a Catholic League meet in 22 seasons and have not lost any meet in five years.

"Saturday, we'll be swimming the big boys like Wilson, Emmaus, and Hershey."

Hershey, the favorite to win the state Class AAA championship this season, boasts an outstanding swimmer in Dave Nolan.

"He's capable of swimming and winning any event," Lichtner said. "It's relays, so it will be a lot of fun as well as good competition."

La Salle will look to senior breaststroker David Speese, senior 500-yard freestyler Chris Catalino, and sophomore butterflyer Joe Maginnis at the meet.