Veteran Purple Eagles squad looks to challenge for N-O League swim title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 November 2017 at 9:59 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Albion boys swim team include, in front, Matthew Kovaleski, Josh Manning, Dyllan Beach, Isaac Neidert, Cameron Ecker and Tyler Kast. In back are Chase Froman, Nik Greean, Harrison Brown, Carlitos Sanchez, Thomas Furmanski, Devin Olles and Sam Sanchez.

Boasting a strong returning group, the Albion boys swim team is looking to contend for top Niagara-Orleans League honors this season after finishing in the runner-up spot last year at 8-2 behind champion Roy-Hart (10-0).

The Purple Eagles veteran contingent is led by the quartet of senior Carlitos Sanchez, junior Matthew Kovaleski and sophomores Sam Sanchez and Thomas Furmanski who teamed up to win the 200 Medley Relay at last year’s N-O All-League meet.

Kovaleski and Sam Sanchez also placed second and third respectively in the 100 Butterfly while Carlitos Sanchez took third in the 50 Free and junior Harrison Brown second in the 200 Individual Medley.

“We have some pretty solid kids and we’re going to be strong,” said Coach Carlos Burroughs. “Our goal is to win the league and we should be in the mix for sure. This is a hard working group and they are ready to take that next step.”

The Purple Eagles underclassmen dominated squad also includes seniors Nik Greean, Tyler Kast, Jerico Chudy, John McGuire, Eric Newlands and Caden Crosby; junior Devin Olles; sophomores Cameron Ecker, Dyllan Beach, Isaac Neidert, Chase Froman, Isaac Coppini, Josh Manning and Ryan Krenning along with freshmen Josh Depoty, Ben Hickman, Zach Kilner and Jacob Coolbaugh.

Albion will host Oakfield-Alabama on Friday and visit Alexander on December 8 for non league meets before opening the N-O schedule at Barker on December 12.

Schedule
December: 1 – Oakfield-Alabama, 5 p.m.; 8 – at Alexander, 5:30 p.m.; 12 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – at Medina, 4 p.m.; 19 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 22 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
January: 3 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Boys All-League meet at Akron, 5:30 p.m.