Lady Tigers qualify diver for states, break school record in relay

The Amherst varsity girls swim team went into last week's ECIC Championship with some lofty goals, and the team was able to achieve them in the pool and on the diving board.

Senior Sarah Masters repeated her ECIC A 1-meter diving title, and qualified for the New York State Championships to be held in Long Island in November. Masters has been undefeated in dual meet competition in her entire six-year career.

"After two years of missing the states by a few points, it was great to finally see her make it," said coach Deb Sullivan.

"Sarah has been a top diver since seventh grade at Amherst, and now she is going to states," added coach Kim Skomra. "It is a fine finish to her high school career."

Diving wasn't the only place Amherst was shining. The 200 medley relay team of Eva Lankes, Kaelyn Sullivan, Michelle Niblock, and Ellie Poleon broke a 10-year old school record on their way to an ECIC A championship.

"I had no idea they were going that fast until I looked up at the final time," said Skomra. "They were ahead of East Aurora the whole way and were flying. The time of 1:57.38 was three seconds faster than they have gone all year."

The same four-some combined in the 200 free relay to repeat as ECIC champions.

"Again, they were being chased by East Aurora but there was no catching them," said Sullivan.

The two relays have a goal to make sectional finals.

"I have been saying all year that these relays were able to compete with the top teams in Western New York and we can't wait until sectionals," said Skomra.

The Lady Tigers swam well individually as well.

Lankes finished second in the 50 free and 100 back, while Niblock finished second in the 100 fly. Niblock also finished third in the 200 IM and Poleon was third in the 200 free. Sullivan was sixth in the 50 and 100 free.

Eighth-grader Charlotte Drozda competed in her first ECIC championship, and finished 13th in the 200 IM and 100 fly. Freshman Joanna Bardak also competed in her first ECICs, finishing 13th in a personal-best time in the 100 free. Bardak and Drozda teamed up with Larissa Kumm and Emilie Byrd to finish 12th in the 400 free relay.

Amherst finished fourth overall with 247 points, two points behind third place Eden.