Swimming
Titans qualify for nationals and Eastern Zone meet

The Town of Tonawanda Titans sent 48 athletes to the Niagara Junior Olympic District long-course meet July 27-30 in Webster, N.Y.

All of the 10-and-under swimmers took part in a timed finals format in the afternoon. The other athletes competed at a preliminary session early in the day, and the top eight competitors from each event were invited back at night to compete at the finals. Thirty-one swim clubs sent 455 athletes to the Junior Olympic meet. Only swimmers who compete at the meet are eligible to be a part of the Niagara District all-star team at the United States Eastern Zone meet.

The 10-and-under division was led for the last time by Emily Kopas (Amherst). Kopas took part in seven events, reaching a United States Eastern Zone qualifying time in every swim. The Niagara District awarded Kopas high point total for all 10-and-under women, with her five first-place finishes and 133 total points. She trimmed 5.48 seconds from her 50-meter and 400-meter freestyle, setting a new Titans' club record in the 400. Even though Kopas celebrates a birthday before the United States Eastern Zone meet, she will still be a part of the all-star team as an 11- to 12-year-old with qualifying times in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke.

Lauren Phillips (Cheektowaga) had a fantastic meet, obliterating 37.91 seconds from six of her seven events. She swam personal-best Eastern zone qualifying times in the 100 and 400 freestyle, 50 and 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke. Phillips scored first-place finishes in the 50 and 100 butterfly, earning 121 total points and entering her name in the Titans' record book for the 50 fly.

The Titans' youngest participant, Allison Kopas (Amherst), swam seven events, slicing away 12.12 seconds. She had lifetime-best swims and new Titan 8-and-under women's club records in the 50 fly, 50 and 100 back, and 200 free. By the end of the three days, she had accumulated a remarkable 71 points.

Miranda Bigham (Wheatfield) hit her stride with personal-best times in all six of her individual events. She knocked an inspiring 14.73 seconds from her 50 and 100 fly, 50- and 100-meter freestyle, and 40- and 100-meter back.

Madeline Jacumski (Clarence) worked through seven individual events and was rewarded with 96 total points. As the long-course season nears its end, Jacumski is looking forward to competing as a member of the Niagara district all-star team at the United States Eastern zone meet.

Margaret Scherer (Buffalo) swam in seven individual events, setting lifetime-best times in the 100 and 400 freestyle and the 50 and 100 back by extracting 9.83 seconds.

Katherine Sullivan (Kenmore) had lifetime best swims in the 50 and 100 free, 50 back and 50 fly by carving a dazzling 6.63 seconds. She earned points in all four of her personal best swims.

Marissa Olsen (Buffalo) was amazing, slashing a stunning 26.43 seconds from her 100 and 200 free, 100 breast, 200 individual medley and 50 back.

Allison McCarthy (East Amherst) contributed valuable points with life-time best swims in the 100 fly and the 50, 100 and 200 free, chopping an important 8.26 seconds from her swims.

Julia Sagasta (Tonawanda) sparkled, stripping 11.30 seconds with lifetime-best swims in the 200 individual medley and the 50 and 100 breast.

Justin Sagasta (Tonawanda) was the sole 10-and-under male swimmer for the Titans. He earned points with a tough swim in the 50 free.

The women's 11-12 division consisted of cousins Lindsey and Jacquie Sagasta. Lindsey Sagasta (Tonawanda) nicked a substantive 3.07 seconds from her 400 free, resulting in a United States Eastern zone qualifying time. She was in the finals of all seven of her events, earning an exciting 105 points. Jacquie Sagasta (Buffalo) was on fire, burning 28.57 seconds for lifetime best swims and finals appearances in the 400 free and 100 and 200 breast. Both girls are looking forward to concluding their long-course seasons as members of the Niagara district all-star team.

The men's 11-12 division was extremely strong, as Joe Martin (Grand Island) swam United States Eastern zone qualifying times in all seven of his events. He was in the finals of every event, winning outright the 400 free while setting a new Titan's club record. He repeated the experience in the 50 fly, setting another record. By meet's end, Martin scored an impressive 121 points.

Declan McLaughlin (Orchard Park) had a dynamic meet with United States Eastern zone qualifying times and first-place finishes in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke. Declan reached the finals of every event he swam and cut .98 second with life-time best swims in the 50 breast and 50 freestyle. McLaughlin scored a notable 104 points in his six events.

Peter McCarthy (East Amherst) incised an exacting 8.64 seconds, making it to finals with lifetime-best swims in the 100, 200 and 400 free and the 100 fly. He procured an essential 73 points.

In the women's 13-14 division, Megan Sullivan (Kenmore) worked hard, severing 15.58 seconds with lifetime-best swims in the 100 and 400 free, 200 individual medley, and 100- and 200-meter breast. She made it to the finals in both the 100 and 200 breast, scoring valuable points.

Leia Federiconi (Williamsville) slit 1.83 seconds from her 100 free. She placed high and earned points in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke.

Molly Higgins (Grand Island) was brilliant, reducing 1.40 seconds with lifetime-best swims in the 50 and 100 free.

Haley Rice (Kenmore) was a shining star, scratching 4.81 seconds from her 100 free and 100 back. She scored points and reached finals in the 100 back.

Samantha Kahn (Grand Island) soared in the 50 and 100 free.

Monica Debus (Buffalo) was smooth in the 50-meter freestyle.

The men's 13-14 division was powerful, as Alec Pokornowski (Clarence) won the 800 free, had a lifetime-best swim and earned a United States Eastern zone qualifying time. Pokornowski was in the finals of all his events, slashing 7.98 seconds from his times and earning additional zone qualifying times in the 100 and 400 free and the 100 back.

Jacob Hofmar-Glennon (Amherst) had a fantastic meet, annihilating 23.62 seconds from his 50, 100 and 200 free; 200 back; and 200 individual medley. He made it to the finals of every event he swam and earned zone qualifying times in the 100 and 200 back. By meet's end, Hofmar-Glennon was named one of the swimmers of the meet by the Town of Tonawanda Titans.

Dylan Telford (Tonawanda) had a lot to be happy about, slashing 13.70 seconds from his 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 free. He earned points in every event, making it to the finals in the 200 and 800 free.

Alexander Spatzer (Kenmore) was dynamic with lifetime-best swims in the 100 back and 100 free.

In the women's 15-and-over division, Victoria Jacumski (Clarence) was driven, having lifetime best swims in all five of her events. She made finals in every event and captured first place in the 100 breast. Jacumski is now competing at the ConocoPhillips Summer Nationals and the Speedo Junior National Championships, both in Indianapolis, Ind.

Also on her way to Indianapolis for both National meets, Marissa Dressel (Buffalo) stopped in to swim the 50 free and 100 back. With her usual style, Dressel scored a first-place finish in the 50 free and finished her two events with 34 points.

Alexandra Dockstader (Buffalo) asserted her dominance with first-place finishes in the 100 back and 100 free. Dockstader achieved zone qualifying times in the 50, 100 and 200 free and the 100 back. She reached the finals in every event she swam.

Caroline Lewis (Buffalo) was fabulous, with lifetime-best swims, ripping 4.29 seconds from her 200 individual medley and 200 breast.

Laura Powalski (Williamsville) swam zone qualifying times in the 50 and 100 free and the 100 back.

Sam Palma (Lancaster) was incredibly forceful with zone qualifying times and top three finishes in the 50 and 100 free.

Alaina Laszewski (Williamsville) made her presence known in five individual events, arriving at finals and cutting a vigorous 1.04 seconds from her 200 back.

Christina Ruggiero (Williamsville) swam an astonishing 400 individual medley, scratching 14.59 seconds, earning a lifetime-best swim, a finals appearance and a strong point showing.

Kristin Millar (Grand Island) pursued excellence with lifetime-best swims and 5.0-second time cuts in the 200 back and 200 individual medley.

Melanie Corwin (Clarence) had four strong events, highlighted by a lifetime-best swim in the 200 free.

Kelsey Rice (Kenmore) had a beautiful lifetime best swim in the 50 free.

Frances Stephenson (Buffalo) made finals in the 50, 100 and 800 free and 400 individual medley.

Jillian Brown (Kenmore) was unrelenting in the 50 and 100 free.

Catherine Rowan (Buffalo) was a quiet force in the 100 and 200 back and 200 individual medley.

Corey Swift (Williamsville) was lightning fast in the 50 free.

In the men's 15-and-over division, Kevin Schuster (Rochester) had an exciting first-place finish in the 100 fly.

Cory Skiba (Buffalo) came prepared, cutting 3.25 seconds from his 50 and 200 free and 100 back. His incredible 50 free time was a zone qualifier.

The spotlight shone on Randall Snodgrass (Tonawanda) with a 4.50-second time reduction in his 100 fly.

Pat Hurley (Buffalo) had an exceptional meet, slashing 6.91 seconds with personal-best swims in the 50 and 100 free and 100 breast.

Max Ruotsi (Grand Island) was marvelous, with lifetime-best swims in the 100 free, 200 breast, 100 fly and 200 back, cutting 8.61 seconds from his times.

The Town of Tonawanda Titans had a great Junior Olympics, eight new Titans' club records were set, there were over 100 lifetime-best swims and Emily Kopas was high point winner among all 10-and-under women. Four Titan athletes are now competing at the ConocoPhillips Summer Nationals and the Speedo Junior National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. The Niagara District all-star team has placed nine Town of Tonawanda Titan athletes on their roster for the upcoming United States Eastern zone meet. The long-course season is proving to be quite successful for many athletes from the Town of Tonawanda Titan swim club, under head coach Scott Vanderzell's guidance. For more information, please visit www.ttscswimming. com.