Lady Tigers swimmers win two, lose one

Ellie Poleon swam a sectional qualifying team in the 200-yard freestyle during Amherst's 63-31 home loss against Williamsville East last Friday at Amherst Middle School. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Amherst girls swimming team had a busy week, swimming three meets in four days.

The first meet was a 63-39 win at Pioneer last Wednesday.

"We won nine events and had some personal-best swims, which is great for this time in the season," said Amherst coach Kim Skomra. "We have been training really hard, so for the girls to pop a personal-best time right now is amazing."

Double winners were Ellie Poleon in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle and Michelle Niblock in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. Sarah Masters just missed the pool record in diving. Jen Burke hit an ECIC qualifying time in the 200 IM and Joanna Bardak swam her best 50 free in an ECIC qualifying time.

Amherst then hosted Williamsville East on Friday in front of a packed house at Amherst Middle School.

"We wanted to have a real home meet for our seniors, and we honored them during the meet, said coach Deb Sullivan. "We have been swimming all of our home meets at Sweet Home, so it was special for them to swim at home in front of their family and friends."

Despite the hoopla, Amherst fell short, 63-31.

"We are really satisfied with the way the girls swam" said Skomra. "East has a pool full of year-round club swimmers, and we don't even have one, so we felt our girls did the best they could against them."

Poleon had personal-best times in the 200 and 500 free in sectional qualifying times. Miranda Jacobi qualified for ECICs in a personal best time in the 50 free. Eva Lankes was the only winner for Amherst, winning the 100 back in a season-best and sectional qualifying time. Kristin Scaringi swam an ECIC qualifying time in the 500 free.

The next morning, Amherst traveled to Marvyvale, where they defeated the Lady Flyers, 56-38.

The Lady Tigers won nine events and again posted some season best times. Jordan Beamer qualified for ECICs in the 50 free and Charlotte Drozda swam a season best 200 IM and the 100 fly in ECIC qualifying times. Kaelyn Sullivan had season best times in the 100 free and 100 breast in sectional qualifying times. Morgan Lempko and Kinsey Kolega swam season best times in the 100 free, while Julia Buscaglia, Allison Scaringi, Allie Bauer, Emily Call, Emilie Byrd, Larissa Kumm, and Hannah Bliechfeld all swam well for Amherst.

The Tigers traveled to Williamsville South on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They finish their dual meet season against West Seneca East on Friday at Sweet Home.