Spartan tune up for states

Williamsville North's Michael Lin finished fifth in the 200-yard prelims on Thursday (pictured) and in the finals at Saturday's Section VI Championships at Sweet Home High School. Lin will compete at the state meet in the 200 and 100 free and as part of the Spartans' 400 free relay. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville North swimmers are prime and ready for this weekend's New York State Championship meet at Erie Community College's Burt Flickinger Center.

Brandon Beckinghausen (200-yard free), Chris Deptula (50 free), Matt Krupp (100 butterfly) and Michael Lin (200 free, 100 free) will be representing the Spartans in individual events. The foursome will also team up in the 400 free relay. Last year, they placed fourth in that event and hope to better that performance this season. Sophomore Kyle Siskar will join the group as a relay alternate.

"We used ECIC's and sectionals to 'tune-up' for the state meet", stated North coach Flynn Burroughs. "We are confident in our preparation and are looking forward to Friday."

At sectionals, Lin finished fifth in the 200 free (1:50.20) and seventh in the 100 free (50.00). Deptula was fifth in the 50 free (22.79) as was Krupp in the 100 fly (55.21). Beckinghausen came in sixth in the 200 free (1:50.30) and eighth in the 100 free (50.86).

Junior Mike Burns just missed the state cut by seven one-hundredths of a second with his fourth place finish at the sectional meet, and sophomore Chris Arcara came within one place of making states in the diving competition, taking sixth.

Robby Novak was 14th in the 500 free. Chris Han came in 16th in the 100 back.

North's 400 relay took second in 3:20.66. The 200 medley relay finished third in 1:41.96. The 200 free relay was fifth in 1:31.21.

State prelims are Friday and finals Saturday. Both sessions begin at noon.