St. Greg's swimmers end season with victory

St. Gregory the Great set Neumann Catholic Swim League records in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay in a 165-84 win over St. John's. St. Greg's finished the regular season 5-0. Pictured front row, left, Leia Federiconi, Patrick Munroe and back row, Alec Pokornowski and Jeffrey Ahrens.

The St. Gregory Cougar swim team finished its regular season 5-0 with a spectacular 165-84 victory over a talented St. John's team.

There was a buzz of excitement in the 11-and-older division as they finished the day with six new school records. Patrick Munroe, Jeff Ahrens, Alec Pokornowski and Leia Federiconi now have the Neumann Catholic Swim League records for the 200 medley relay in a stunning 2:01.35 and the 200 freestyle relay in 1:47.64. Theresa Munroe joined the ranks of record breakers with a 2:15.30 swim in the girls' 200 freestyle. Theresa also holds the girls' 100 free record with a 1:04.80. Keeping it all in the family, Patrick Munroe regained the boys' 50 free record in 26.21. Pokornowski shot down an 11-year old boys' 100 free record, swimming a 56.67.

The 8-and-under division took first place in all but one event. The medley relay of Maeve Christ, Madeleine Stamm, Alexa Bradley and Abby Shanahan dominated for first place with Caitlin Dwyer, Olivia Vasquez, Margaret Niederpruem and Elise Bauerstock making a great run for second. Shanahan took first in the 100 IM and the 50 free. Stamm wowed with firsts in the 25 back and 25 breast. Christ sailed to first in the 25 free and took second in the 50 free. Bradley showed her strength with a first in the 25 fly and second in the 100 IM. Bauerstock held tough for second in the 25 free, while Niederpruem fought hard for second in the 25 fly.

Madeleine Thompson took second in the 25 back and the free relay of Vasquez, Niederpruem, Bauerstock and Emma Gervase also finished second.

The 8-and-under group showed a lot of depth with third place points from Vasquez, Kendal Rehak, Emma Murphy, Madeleine Thompson and Danielle Bradley.

The 9-and-10 division were challenged by a talented St. John's team but came out with a two-point victory. Anna Rubino continued her streak by taking first in the 50 back and 100 IM. Billy Christ followed her lead with firsts in the 50 and 100 free. Olivia Macdonald looked great with a first in the 50 breast. The medley relay of Christ, Macdonald, Danny Dirrigl and Rubino took second as did the free relay of Brigid Dwyer, Allan Collins, James Pokornowski and Danny Dirrigl. Third place points helped the division win with swims from Brigid Dwyer, Jillian Ahrens, Jackie Adolf, Pokornowski, Gabi Smith, Macdonald, Michael Serghany and Jonathan Jonas.

The 11-and-older division had a phenomenal season with six new records. First place points in every event pulled off their victory. Leia Federiconi placed first in the 200 IM with Caroline Niederpruem adding a first in the 50 free. Theresa Munroe finished first in the 50 fly with Alec Pokornowski adding another first in the 100 free. Patrick Munroe was a dynamo in the 50 back while Jeff Ahrens stayed tough for first in the 50 breast. Margaret Christ swam clean to a first in the 200 free. Mike Arena took second in the 50 free and sparked the relay of Caroline Niederpruem, Diana Donnarumma, Theresa Munroe and Arena to a second place finish.

The league record breaking 200 medley and freestyle relays of Patrick Munroe, Jeff Ahrens, Leia Federiconi and Alec Pokornowski took two firsts with the most exciting year end swims in St. Greg's history.

Third place finishes helped add points to this division win with swims by Lara Macdonald, Christina Seminara, Jennifer Helfer and Emily Shanahan.

St. Gregory's and the entire Neumann Catholic Swim League meet Sunday at University at Buffalo Natatorium for championships.