In what many called “the greatest meet ever,” the Pittsford Boys Swimming and Diving Team challenged number-one ranked Shenendehowa in every event, resulting in an incredible 12 state cut times for the two teams and a pool record board being completely rewritten.  The final score, Shenendehowa 101.50, Pittsford 84.50, didn’t reflect how close the meet was, with many events determined by hundredths of a second.  It also didn’t reflect how the times for the Pittsford swimmers dramatically tumbled, something rarely if ever seen before sectional finals. 

Senior co-captain Brandon McManus won the 100 back with a time of 55.74, one of four state qualifying times he swam on the day, and Emmett Jacobi made three state times.  The sprint relay team of Morgan Marin, Tyler McCrobie, Owen Drinkwater and Jacobi had the Panthers other first place finish. 

The noise level, the crowded bleachers, the cheerleading and the electricity in the air at the Clifton Park pool rivaled the intensity of a state tournament as the two defending sectional champions (Pittsford, Section 5; Shenendehowa, Section 2) went head-to-head.  Although the Panthers 73 dual meet winning streak was snapped, the coaches and swimmers agreed it was worth it to “take on the best.”  

“We were beat today, we didn’t lose,” McManus said.  “And we have lots of younger swimmers who are now looking to start the next streak.” 

Lee Silverstein, also a senior and co-captain, agreed.   

“We needed a meet like this to really get us going.  Pittsford is going to come back stronger than ever,” Silverstein said.           

The meet opened with Alan Chuang, Matt Tanchick, McManus and McCrobie taking second in the 200 medley relay with a state time of 1:40.98.  Jacobi finished second in the 200 free (1:47.57) also a state time, with Alex Branch fourth.  Tanchick’s 1:59.87 was good enough for second in the 200 IM and another state time, with Silverstein coming in fourth.  Marin was second in the 50 free with 22.52, McCrobie third and Drinkwater fourth. 

With Shenendehowa leading 47-31, all eyes turned to the diving competition.  Pittsford’s Sam Randall kept it close, taking second place with 202.30 points, just three points behind the winner.  Dylan Marin took fifth for the Panthers in diving. 

McManus followed with a second place and another state qualifying time for Pittsford in the 100 fly, 54.24.  Showing just how close the meet was, Marin tied Shenendehowa’s Adam Kalish for third at 55.00.  Ryan Horey was fifth in the fly, adding points for the Panthers.  McCrobie’s 49.65 took second in the 100 free, with Drinkwater fourth, just 1/10th of a second behind Adam Goodcoff of Shenendehowa. 

In one of the most exciting contests of the day, Jacobi went stroke-for-stroke with Shenendehowa’s Troy Nichols in the distance event, the 500 free.  They hit the wall together, with Nichols winning time of 4:42.45 just 4/100ths of a second ahead of Jacobi and both qualifying for states.  PJ Ransford took third place for the Panthers and Josh Kapilivsky was fourth. 

Pittsford began a late run for the lead with their first place in the sprint relay (1:30.69) behind Marin, McCrobie, Drinkwater and Jacobi, with Kevin Maier, Will Dawson, Branch and Silverstein taking third in the event.  McManus then won the 100 back, with Chuang taking third, but despite their best efforts, the Panthers couldn’t close the gap.  Tanchick took second in the 100 breast (1:04.35), with Silverstein third and Dawson fifth.  Marin, McManus, Tanchick and Jacobi ended the meet with a second place showing in a very fast 400 free relay, 3:19.47, another state qualifying time. 

Swimming exhibition, Pittsford’s junior varsity turned in the fastest times in all of their events.  Many of the younger swimmers are already thinking about next season, when Shenendehowa will travel to Mendon Pool for another showdown.  In the meantime, every winning time by the two teams at the December 19 contest will be the record to beat at the relatively new Shenendahowa aquatic center. 

“This was the best high school dual meet I’ve ever seen, just fantastic for New York State athletics,” said Shenendehowa head coach Chuck Dunham.  “Both teams came out winners; it brought out the best in the swimmers in every event,” he said. 

Although it was the end of one of the longest win streaks in Section 5, Pittsford head coach Mark Morris agreed. 

“Even though we lost, the kids said it was the best meet we’ve ever had,” he said.  “And seven years has been enough – we’ll just have to start a new streak.” 

Pittsford will have that chance when they take on Spencerport at Mendon Pool on December 29 during the holiday break.