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 My Site News: MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW FOR PITTSFORD |
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MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW FOR PITTSFORD
PITTSFORD SWIMMERS ARE SECTION 5 CHAMPS
FOR THREE YEARS RUNNING
Pittsford won both the 200 and 400 free relays and placed some of the fastest swimmers in every event as the Panthers claimed their third straight Section 5 “Class A” title in a showdown at the Webster Aquatic Center.
The Pittsford finmen rolled up an impressive 490 points to outdistance rivals Fairport (373) and Penfield (333) at the February 20 championships.
“We’re feeling really good. It’s nice to go out on top,” said co-captain Brian Possee, one of seven Pittsford swimmers to qualify for the State Championships on Long Island in March. Possee was recognized as Division I “Swimmer of the Year” to add to his other achievements this season.
The opening announcer promised “some of the fastest swimming in New York State” and the meet lived up to its billing. In addition to the hard-fought relay victories, Pittsford highlights included Jeremy Amon’s 48.12 to take first place in the 100 free.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, “Amon said. “I’ve been in the top finishers for the past few years, but it’s great to take first.”
Greg Conklin, Taylor Topping, Amon and Possee posted an All American time of 1:27.41 in the 200 free relay and Conklin, Amon, Possee and Charlie Ruff put up 3:12.81 to win the 400 free relay. Both events brought the crowd to their feet, with the Panthers twice edging strong Penfield relay teams by less than a second.
With the top 16 swimmers scoring points their teams, the depth of the Pittsford squad was again evident. Mike Moran, Kenny Pink, Andrew Kuter and Topping teamed up for third place in the opening 200 medley relay. In the next event, the 200 free, the Panthers flexed their muscles with four of the top eight finishers. Possee was second, Amon took third, Jimmy Prezzano was seventh and Ruff eighth, all fastest enough to qualify for states in the event.
In the 200 individual medley (IM), Pink was sixth for Pittsford and Ben Silverstein was ninth. Sean McManus was 11th and Nathan French 13th, also scoring in the IM. In the 50 free, Conklin was fifth with a state qualifying time of 22.13, followed by teammates Topping (sixth), Kuter (seventh) and Alex Hummel (16th).
Possee had another second place in the 100 fly, finishing behind Kevin Schuster of Greece, the “Swimmer of the Meet.” Topping was fifth in the event, Derek Lasher placed seventh and Dan Locke came in 11th.
In addition to Amon’s first place in the 100 free, Conklin was sixth, Kuter tenth and Moran 12th. In the 500 free, Prezzano posted a state qualifying time of 5:00.3 for third place. Nathan French was fifth, Hummel was ninth and Ari Kapalivsky was 16th.
Backstroke has been a key event for Pittsford all season and Silverstein was again the top finisher for Pittsford, placing third overall with 58.14. Silverstein was followed by teammates Moran (4th), Ruff (5th) and Lasher (7th). Fairport's Jeff Wood set a new Section 5 record in the backstroke with a 50.46. In the 100 breast, Pink was fifth and Sean McManus ninth to complete the scoring for Pittsford in individual events.
Pittsford’s divers, who competed in their championship a week earlier, also were key to the overall victory, with Sean Hingel coming in third and Wills DeMoulin placing seventh.
“It was a great meet, with all our guys stepping up and scoring points,” diving coach Carrie Crane said. “We gave our swimmers a lead heading into their competition and we took a great deal of pride in that accomplishment.”
The Panthers were again undefeated in dual meets in the 2004-05 season to claim their second straight Monroe County championship. They’ll again be the team to beat at States.
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