Division II title will be challenge for East
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East's Janelle Munroe completes her final lap of the 200 individual medley at a four-team scrimmage last Saturday at Clarence. Munroe, a junior, is a returning New York State qualifier in the 100-yard butterfly. Photo by Patrick McPartland

Over the last four years, Williamsville East's varsity girls swimming team has been untouchable in ECIC Division II, winning every league meet. A fifth straight division title will be a lot tougher this year, said Lady Flames coach Mike Doerfler.

"We've got our top liners that they are swimming very well and the others behind them are going to have to come through," he said.

The team will lean heavily on senior Jennifer Anthone and junior Janelle Munroe. Anthone, one of three East captains, has qualified for the New York State Championships the last three years in the 50and 100-yard freestyle. Munroe qualified for states as a sophomore in the 100-yard butterfly. She can also swim the backstroke and 200 individual medley.

"Jennifer is at that level that it's extremely hard to improve her times," said Doerfler. "She's going so fast that just to cut that couple tenths off is really tough. She's got a great attitude and is looking forward to it. Every year she surprises us and keeps getting faster."

Doerfler said Munroe is looking to do much better and has come into the season in great shape.

Both also swim year round, Anthone with the Tonawanda Titans, and Munroe with Sweet Home Aquatics Club.

"For girls, it's huge," said Doerfler of swimming year round. "The season is so short."

Seniors Emily Neimanis (200, 500 free) and Stephanie Schwartz (50, 100 free, 100 breast) are other East captains.

Other returning swimmers include seniors Katie Bradley (200, 500 free), Malory Davis (breast), and Emily Hassenfratz (50, 100 free) and juniors Tori Mayer (200, 500) and Kelsey Bradbury (200 IM and 500 free). Freshman Bailey Woodling (100 fly) and divers, eighth grader Taylor Castle and freshman Jessica McNulty, make their varsity debuts.

Doerfler is looking for his team to break some school records and send a few swimmers and relay teams to states.

East opened with a four-team scrimmage Saturday at Clarence.

He said the 400 free relay set a school record with a 425.20. The old record was 425.23.

They opened their league schedule Tuesday at Iroquois but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.

East 2006 Schedule 9-21 Starpoint.................... 6 p.m. 9-26 at Maryvale .......... 4:30 p.m. 9-29 Amherst (Sweet Home) 6 p.m. 10-3 Lake Shore................ 6 p.m. 10-6 at South ................ 4:30 p.m. 10-10 Cheektowaga .......... 6 p.m. 10-13 at Pioneer................ 5 p.m. 10-17 at W.S. East........ 4:30 p.m. 10-26 ECIC swimming (Sweet Home)................................. 1 p.m. 10-27 ECIC diving (Sweet Home 2 p.m. 10-28 ECIC (Sweet Home) swimming and diving finals ..... 9 a.m. *All home meets are at Transit Middle School.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com