North not the favorite anymore in ECIC I
Boys swimming
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North senior Michael Lin swims the 200 medley relay during the Spartans' 53-49 home loss last Friday. Lin is one of two Spartan captains. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

With back-to-back 13-0 seasons and a 50-2 record over the past four years, Williamsville North has been the king of the ECIC Division I pool.

But the Spartans aren't the clear cut favorite this year.

"We'll be competitive with anyone but there is a real balance of power in the division," said North assistant coach Flynn Burroughs (head coach is Dan McLaughlin). "Depending on the day, there are probably four to five teams that could knock each other off this year. If I had to pick, I'd give an edge to Orchard Park but Williamsville East, Clarence, and Iroquois will all be in the mix this season. Everyone has a few strong swimmers. The team with the most depth will be the one who rises to the top."

Burroughs isn't lying. North has already lost a league meet, dropping its home opener to Iroquois, 53-49, last Friday.

Burroughs said if his team is to remain competitive with the top teams in the division, everyone will need to be committed to the cause.

"More notably, we'll look to our senior captains, Michael Lin and Mike Burns, to lead the way," said Burroughs. "Senior Sean Beckinghausen and juniors Steve Hill, Kyle Siskar and Robbie Novak will also need to be at their best if we are going to be successful."

All of the mentioned swimmers have a ton of varsity experience (Lin, five years; Burns, Beckinghausen four years; Hill, Siskar, Novak, three years).

Burroughs said Lin is capable of swimming any event and is among the top freestylers in New York State. As a junior, he posted season best times in the 100 and 200 free at the New York State Championships.

"Michael has been a key to our success the past four years," said Burroughs.

Burns took third at the Section VI Championships in the 100 breaststroke, missing the New York State qualifying standard by .07. Burroughs calls Burns "a tremendous leader that keeps the team focused and on track."

Beckinghausen is primarily a breaststroker but can swim any event if needed, said Burroughs.

"Sean came through for us last year in clutch situations and we'll need him to do the same this year," said Burroughs.

Burroughs said Hill, a distance freestyler, consistently works as hard as any swimmer that he's ever coached.

No longer a secret, Siskar established himself as one of the top freestyle sprinters last season, coming within four hundredths of qualifying for the state meet in the 50 free, said Burroughs.

"Kyle is a typical sprinter," said Burroughs. "He's carefree, keeps the mood loose, but is all business when he gets on the block."

Novak also had a breakout year in 2007 when he was a sectional finalist in the 500 free.

"Robbie has aspirations to qualify for the New York State Championships in that event this year," said Burroughs.

North's diver is junior Chris Arcara, who is entering his third year with the Spartans.

Burroughs said Arcara has made tremendous progress over the years.

"He began diving for us as a freshman just as a way to contribute to our team's success," he said. "Having never gone off the board before, he really struggled. However, he persevered and began diving year round. Then as a sophomore, he established himself as one of the elite divers in Section VI and scored enough points to qualify him for the New York State Championships. But Section VI only takes five divers to the meet and Chris finished sixth. I'm very proud of and happy for him."

Burroughs expects instant contributions from newcomers Brandon Long and Joe Jabruckie, both freshmen.

"They will be available to swim any event that we need them too," said Burroughs.

Burroughs said the team's relays are all up for grabs because the swimmers on them from last year - Brandon Beckinghausen, Chris Deptula and Matt Krupp - graduated (Lin also swam on relays last year). Brandon Beckinghausen, Deptula and Krupp and Lin qualified for states last year in the 400 free relay. Siskar was an alternate. Brandon Beckinghausen (200 free), Deptula (50 free) and Krupp (100 fly) also qualified for states in individual events.

Burroughs feels the team's strongest events this year will likely be the 50, 100, 200 and 500 free and the 100 breast.
North 2007-08 Schedule
12-14 Jamestown .............. 5 p.m.
1-4 at Lake Shore ............. 5 p.m.
1-7 Sweet Home ............... 5 p.m.
1-11 Clarence .................... 5 p.m.
1-15 at East (Transit Middle
School) ............................... 6 p.m.
1-18 W.S. East ................... 5 p.m.
1-25 at Lancaster .............. 5 p.m.
1-29 at Frontier................. 5 p.m.
2-1 W.S. West..................... 5 p.m.
2-5 at Orchard Park ......... 5 p.m.
2-5 ECICs - diving (Sweet Home
High School) ..................... 4 p.m.
2-6 ECICs - swimming (Sweet
Home High School) ......... 2 p.m.
2-13 Section VI Championships
(ECC-City) ......................... 5 p.m.
2-14 Section VI Championships
(ECC-City) ......................... 5 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com