Spartan swimmers remain perfect

Williamsville North's Shawn Goldsmith took second place in diving competition in the Spartans' 81-20 home win over Lake Shore on Friday. Chris Aracara took first place. North is 6-0. Photo by Joe Eberle

Coming off an undefeated 2005-06 season that included an ECIC and Section VI team championship, the Williamsville North boys swimming team has begun the 06-07 season unbeaten in ECIC competition.

With convincing victories over Sweet Home, West Seneca West, West Seneca East, Hamburg, Iroquois and Lake Shore, the Spartans appear to be the team to beat once again.

The Spartans, 53-2 versus ECIC competition over the past four years, know that the biggest challenges are still ahead of them.

"There's much more parody in the league this year than it has been in the past", said North coach Flynn Burroughs. "The team that wins the league this year will be the team that is best prepared and wins the match-ups."

The Spartans are led by a solid core of swimmers. Seniors Brandon Beckinghausen, Chris Deptula, and Matt Krupp, as well as junior Michael Lin, have already qualified individually for the New York State Championship meet which will be held March 2-3 at Erie Community College's Burt Flickinger Center. The foursome has also teamed up to post the third fastest 200-yard freestyle relay (1:31.20) and second fastest 400 free relay (3:23.00) times in the state thus far.

The Spartans are also getting significant contributions from juniors Mike Burns (breaststroke), Sean Beckinghausen (breaststroke), Chris Han (IM, back), Robby Novak (500 free) and sophomore Chris Aracara (diving). "Arcara his been a huge lift for this team," said Burroughs. "Knowing that we can count on him to get the job done on the board has taken a little of the pressure off the swimmers."

Key meets for the Spartans will be Friday against a much improved Williamsville East squad, Jan. 16 against perennial power Clarence and Jan. 30 against a very strong Orchard Park team.

"We expect that these teams will give us their very best meet of the year," said Burroughs. "Every one wants to be that team that finally knocks us off. Our guys know that and it really fires them up."