Titan swimmers break Niagara district record, achieve national times

The Town of Tonawanda Titans Swim Club sent 45 swimmers to the Niagara Long-Course Classic swim meet. There were athletes representing 35 swim clubs from as far away as Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, New England, Ohio, the Adirondacks and other parts of New York State.

The Niagara district hosted the swim meet at the University at Buffalo Natatorium July 6-8. All the athletes who participated had to meet strict time standards, making it difficult to qualify, thereby attracting many elite swimmers. Olympians Rachel Komisarz, Amanda Weir, Neil Walker and Josh Davis all competed. Over the course of three days, 409 swimmers competed in the 50-meter pool.

10-and-under girls

The Town of Tonawanda Titans sent three 10-and-under women to the Niagara Classic swim meet. The long-course season is progressing well for Emily Kopas (Amherst), with national age group reportable times in the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke. Kopas had a fantastic meet, slashing 19.77 seconds from her events. Kopas also set a new Niagara district 10-and-under women's record in the 50 breast. Aside from achieving 10-and-under Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 50 breast, 400 free and 200 individual medley, Kopas also reached 11-12 women's Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 100 and 200 breast.

Lauren Phillips pulled 8.52 seconds from her entry times. The 200 free was a Northeastern United States zone qualifying time. The 200 IM, 200 and 400 free were all personal-best "AA" times.

Madeline Jacumski (Clarence) tore 7.70 seconds from her events. The 100 backstroke earned Jacumski a Northeastern United States zone qualifying time. The 200 IM ("A" time), 50 butterfly ("A" time) and 100 free ("AA" time) were all personal best swims for her.

12 and under

The women's 12-and-under division was led by cousins Lindsey and Jacquie Sagasta. Both had personal best swims every time they competed. Lindsey Sagasta, of Tonawanda, slashed 15.45 seconds from her events, achieving Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 50 and 100 free (both "AAA" times). The 100 back hit the "AAA" mark for Lindsey Sagasta, while the 200 IM, 200 back, and 200 and 400 free were all "AA" times. Jacquie Sagasta (Buffalo) reached a Northeastern United States zone qualifying time in the 50 breast ("AA" time). The 100 free was an "AA" time for her. "A" times were seized in the 200 IM; 100 and 200 breast; and the 50, 100 and 200 free, resulting in a stunning 25.36-second time reduction.

Rebecca Anthone (East Amherst) tore 37.79 seconds from her five events, all personal-best times. Anthone struck gold with an "A" level time in the 50 free. Jenna Rice (Kenmore) made a splash in her first appearance at the Niagara Classic meet with a personal-best "B" level swim in the 50 back.

Boys 11-12

Every time Joe Martin swam, he demanded a Northeastern United States zone qualifying time. Martin had personal-best swims in the 100 and 200 breast, 200 IM, 200 free (all "AAA" times), and 50 back ("AA" time). By the end of the meet, Martin had cut 12.61 seconds from his previous best times.

Declan McLaughlin (Orchard Park) had an outstanding meet, with an 8.22-second reduction in times. McLaughlin attained Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 50, 100 and 200 breast, as well as the 200 back (all "AAA" level times). McLaughlin scored a hard-fought personal-best "A" level time in the 50 fly, following up with another personal best "AA" level time in the 100 free.

Dylan Telford (Kenmore) trimmed 14.40 seconds from his six events. Telford had personal-best swims in the 100 and 200 back, 100 free (all "A" times), 200 free ("AA" time) and 400 free ("AAA" level time).

Peter McCarthy (East Amherst) hit six personal-best swims and annihilated 15.57 seconds from his times. McCarthy hit "BB" level times in the 100 and 200 back and 100 fly and "A" level times in the 100, 200 and 400 free.

Girls 13-14

The girls 13-14 division was the perfect showcase for the talented Marissa Dressel, who was recently named an NISCA/Speedo Swimming All-American for her part in her high school's 400 free relay.

Every time Dressel entered the pool, she swam a Northeastern United States zone qualifying time. In the 200 fly and 400 free, Dressel captured Eastern zone Supersectional qualifying times as well as national age group reportable times. The icing on the cake was her Speedo Junior National Championship qualifying time in the 400 free, making her eligible to compete in Indianapolis, Ind., this August.

She also qualified for the Eastern zone Supersectional meet at St. Mary's in Maryland, with stunning swims in the 100 fly, 200 IM, and 50, 100 and 400 free.

Dressel slashed 12.38 seconds from her times, making it to the finals in every single event she swam.

Leia Federiconi (Williamsville) had several personal-best swims, including the 50 free ("AA" time), 200 breast and the 200 IM (both "BB" times). In total, Federiconi ripped 5.66 seconds from the three events.

Alli Gielowski swam a dominating five events. She scored "AA" times in the 50 and 100 free. Gielowski hit "A" times in the 100 fly, 200 IM and 100 back.

Boys 13-14

The boys 13-14 division was very powerful.

Alec Pokornowski (Clarence) swam six events with Northeastern United States zone qualifying "AAA" times in every single event. Pokornowski had two superb personal-best swims in the 50 and 400 free, with a combined time reduction of 4.25 seconds. Pokornowski made the finals, competing against all 13-and-over men in the 400 and 800 free.

By the conclusion of the Niagara Classic, Jacob Hofmar-Glennon (Amherst) earned Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 100 and 200 back ("AA" times). The 200 IM and 50 and 100 free were all personal-best "A" level swims for Hofmar-Glennon. Hofmar-Glennon carved 6.80 seconds from his events, reaching finals competing against all 13-and-over men in the 200 back. Alexander Spatzer (Kenmore) left his mark in the 50 free, cutting .89 second from his race, earning an "A" level time.

Girls 15 and over

Victoria Jacumski (Clarence) earned an Eastern zone Supersectional qualifying time in the 100 breast. Coincidentally, she was recently named an NISCA/Speedo All-American for her performance in the 100 breast during her high school season. The 200 IM, 100 free and 200 breast were all Northeastern United States zone qualifying times for Jacumski. Her 100 free ("AAA" time) was a personal-best swim, with a 1.07-second reduction. She reached the finals in the 100 and 200 breast, 200 IM, and 100 free.

Sam Palma (Lancaster) earned an Eastern zone Supersectional qualifying time in the 50-meter freestyle ("AAA" time). Palma also hit Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 100 ("AAA" time) and 200 ("AA" time) free. The 100 back ("A" time) and 200 free were both personal best swims for Palma, with her 2.03-second time reduction. Palma swam in the finals of the 100 fly ("AAA" time) and the 50 and 100 free. Jennifer Anthone (East Amherst) sliced a smooth 3.32 seconds from her events. After several personal best swims, Anthone achieved an "A" time in the 100 back, an "AA" time in the 100 fly, and "AAA" times in the 50 and 100 free. Anthone earned Northeastern United States qualifying times in the 50 and 100 free.

Natalie Lewis trimmed 1.22 seconds from her events. Her efforts gave her Northeastern United States zone qualifying times in the 50, 100 and 200 free (all "AAA" times) and 200 IM ("AA" time).

Alaina Laszewski (Williamsville) cut a scintillating 5.49 seconds from two of her events. Her 100 back was an "A" level swim, and her 200 back resulted in an "AA" level time.

Christina Ruggiero (Williamsville) stripped a resounding 14.47 seconds from her events. Ruggiero's efforts were rewarded with "A" level times in the 100 and 200 free and the 200 IM. Ruggiero worked hard to attain a "BB" time in the 400 IM.

Rachel Chapman sliced 3.62 seconds from the 100 breast ("BB" time) and the 50 free ("AA" time). Melanie Corwin (Clarence) vanquished an impressive 2.47 seconds from her 100 free and in return earned an "A" time. Kara Powalski (Williamsville) incised an important .72 second from her 50 free and was rewarded with an "AA" time. Her 200 IM resulted in a "BB" time.

Sarah Sciarrino pulled an exciting 1.10 seconds from three of her swims. Her efforts brought her back to finals in the 200 back and 100 free.

Anne Miller snipped 2.76 seconds from her 400 free and 200 fly. Miller's hard work took her to finals in the 200 fly, giving her a well-earned 10th place finish. Laura Powalski was dominant with 3.19 seconds slammed from her 100 and 200 back and her 50 free. Powalski's tenacity earned her a place in the finals of all three events.

Sarah Savattieri (Williamsville) made a worthwhile appearance at the Niagara Classic, with a personal-best swim and an enchanting A" time in the 100 free. Frances Stephenson entered six events and made it to the finals of every swim.

Jillian Brown (Kenmore) swam a personal-best time in the 50 free, earning an "A" time. Eleanor Clay grabbed a Northeastern United States zone qualifying "AA" time in the 100 breast. Liz Subjeck (Williamsville) made her presence known in five events. Lindsay Dressel was forceful in both of her swims. Julia deGuehery (Tonawanda) was tenacious in all three of her races. Natalie McGurn demonstrated her abilities in each of her four swims.

Boys 15 and over

The men's 15-and-over division found a strong leader in Kevin Schuster with his sharp 1.18-second time reduction.

Schuster scored an Eastern zone Supersectional qualifying time in the 100 fly, joining his other Supersectional cuts in the 50 and 100 free. Richard Shi had an exciting 1.81-second reduction, guaranteeing him a spot in the finals of the 50 free and 100 back. Mike Szyprowski swam the finals of the 50 and 100 free, removing 1.20 seconds from his swims. Randall Snodgrass (Tonawanda) qualified for finals in the 50 and 100 free. Cory Skiba pushed himself in the 50, 100 and 200 free. Max Ruotsi was stalwart in his four swims.

All of the hard work the Town of Tonawanda Titans has put forth this long-course season is paying off. In the next months, swimmers from the club will be participating in the Eastern Zone Long-Course Championships, the Eastern Zone Supersectional meet, the Speedo Junior National Championships and the ConocoPhillips Summer Nationals. For more information, visit www.ttscswimming. com.