Clarence Swim Club sets new club records

Swimmers from the Clarence Swim Club participated in the Niagara Classic at the University at Buffalo in early July. The meet requires qualifying times to enter and attracts talent from around the Northeast and includes several Olympians. Many personal best times were swum and new club records were set.

In the 11- to 12-year-old division, Sarina Featherstone streaked through the water in the 50 freestyle and 50 and 100 backstroke. Featherstone dropped an amazing total of 12.22 seconds in these three swims.

Stephanie Kong surfaced with silver times in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke.

Kendra Mayer blended gold and silver times with her 50, 100, 400 free, 50 back and 100 fly swims. The 50 was an "AA" time.

Christina Seminara ruled the pool, dropping time in every event she swam. While her 200 IM, 50, 100, and 200 free performances were terrific (dropped 4.11 seconds), the 50 and 100 fly were utterly fantastic. Seminara placed third in the 50 (gold-level "A" time) and fifth in the 100.

Allison Voll once again dominated the backstroke events, dropping 2.97 seconds in the 50, 100 and 200 back, fifth, fifth and eight, respectively.

The 100 and 200 back established new club records. All three events were "AA" times. Voll also brought home silver in the 200 IM, 50 and 100 fly, and 100 breast.

Claire Willis wowed the crowd with three fabulous freestyle swims. Willis dropped an astonishing 12.52 seconds to grab gold in the 50, 100 and 200 free. All three races are "A" times.

In the 15-and-older division, Andrew Barden garnered gold in the 400 free with an "A" time. Silver times were seen in the 100 breast; 200 IM; and 50, 100 and 800 free. Barden was part of the record-setting 400 medley and 800 free relay teams.

Neil Batta put the shine on for silver times in the 50 and 100 free and the 100 and 200 back. Batta was a member of the 400 medley and 800 free relays that set new club records.

Jon Beabout brought home "A" level gold times in the 100 and 400 free. Silver times were achieved in the 200 IM and the 50, 200 and 800 free. Beabout was a member of the record-setting 400 medley and 800 free relay teams.

Camille Farkas struck gold in every race she swam, taking off a gigantic 40.09 seconds in her four free events. The 50, 100 and 200 free were "AA" times while the 400 free and 200 IM were "A" times. Farkas is now the club record holder for the 200 and 400 free.

Adam Weber trounced his old times by dropping 6.04 seconds during his 50, 100 and 200 free races. Weber's 50 free was a gold-level "AA" time. He was also a member of the record-setting 400 medley and 800 free relay teams.

Cheektowaga summer

long-course meet

The Cheektowaga 2007 Summer Long-Course meet resulted in more personal-best times and several new club records. This meet is swum in a 50-meter outdoor pool.

In the 10-and-under division,Tori Argentieri swam eight events over the course of the weekend, dropping an amazing 15.45 seconds. Argentieri swam 50 and 100 in the back, free and fly as well as the 200 IM and the 50 breast.

Andrew Cahalane had several gutsy swims, snatching silver in the 200 IM, 50 free, 50 and 100 breast, and 100 back, getting fifth, second, first, first, and fourth, respectively. Cahalane swam strong in the 200 IM, 50 back, 50 fly, 100 free and 200 breast. He dropped a total of 10.85 seconds.

Olivia Colson swam all personal best times as she dropped 18.94 seconds. She took on the 50 and 100 in the back, breast and free as well as the 50 fly and 200 IM. Colson broke three 8-and-under club records in the 50 and 100 breast and the 100 free.

Kim Fohrd had another great showing, dropping 5.41 while swimming the 50 and 100 free, 50 and 100 breast, and 50 back.

In the 11-12 division, Victoria Butler started her long-course career with a silver time in the 50 breast, placing second. Butler also showed her skill in the 100 and 200 free and the 50 fly and 100 back.

Sarina Featherstone's freestyle events were magic this weekend. She took an incredible 39.34 seconds off of her 50, 100, 200 and 400 free. The 50 free was a silver performance. Featherstone also worked the 50 and 100 in the fly, breast and back.

Stephanie Kong had a banner day in the free, pulling out personal bests in the 50 and 400 free as well as 50 fly. Kong also braved the waves in the 200 IM, 50 and 100 breast, 100 back and 100 fly.

Michael Le swam very well in his first long-course races in the 100 and 200 free, 50 breast and fly, and 100 back.

Becky Michalski annihilated 1.75 seconds from her previous 50 free best time. She also worked hard in the 50 back and 100 breast.

Sydney Modeas swam the 100 free, 50 breast, 100 back and 50 fly.

Liz Principe powered her way to a 1.83-second drop in her 100 free and a 2.47-second drop in the 50 fly. Principe polished off the day with a strong 50 breast and 100 back.

Claire Willis rose to the occasion while swimming the 800 free, grabbing silver and setting a new club record in the process. Willis also took on the silver glow in the 200 IM, 50 and 100 free, and 50 back. She dropped 2.35 seconds in the 100 fly and remained strong in the 50 fly and 50 and 100 breast.

In the 13-14 division, Arshia Sethi came in 10th place (bronze) in the 50 free.

In the 15-and-older division, Julia Bulmahn struck silver in the 50 free and 100 and 200 back, placing ninth, fourth, and third. Bulmahn also stayed strong in the 100 and 200 free.

Erik Kowalik placed 12th with a stunning silver time in the 50 free. Kowalik dropped 2.29 seconds from his previous best in the 100 back and made good swims in the 100 back and 200 breast.

Mitchell Maciuba got silver and placed fifth in his 50 and 100 free. Maciuba had endurance as he also worked the 200, 400 and 800 free and 100 back.

Victoria Macy tried her hand at long course for the first time, swimming the 50 and 100 free.

Danny Salvatore placed second and sixth, respectively, in the 50 and 100 free. It was also a good day for him in the 200 and 400 free, 200 IM and the 100 fly.

Russ Sampson set a new club record during his second-place swim in the 200 fly.

For more information about the Clarence Swim Club, visit www.clarenceswimming.com or e-mail Russ Sampson at Clarenceswimming@aol.com.