Albion preps to defend N-O boys swim title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 November 2018 at 2:00 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the defending co-champion Albion boys swim team include, in front, Isaac Coppini, Josh Manning, Matt Kovaleski, Ryan Krenning and Harrison Brown. In back are Thomas Furmanski, Devin Olles, Sam Sanchez, Zach Kilner, Chase Froman, Ben Hickman, Cameron Ecker and Jacob Coolbaugh.

Last season, Albion ended a 12 year title drought by sharing the Niagara-Orleans League boys swim championship with Barker at 9-1. Now, with over a dozen veterans returning from that squad, the Purple Eagles are looking to make a strong run at retaining the title.

Albion’s veteran contingent includes seniors Harrison Brown, Matt Kovaleski, and Devin Olles; juniors Josh Manning, Ryan Krenning, Isaac Coppini, Thomas Furmanski, Sam Sanchez, Chase Froman and Cameron Ecker along with sophomores Ben Hickman, Zach Kilner and Jacob Coolbaugh.

Leading the Albion girls swim team will be veterans Amelia Sanchez, Laiken Ricker, Michaela Pantano and Avery Gaines.

Kovaleski won the 100 Breaststroke at the All-League meet while Sanchez placed second in the 100 Butterfly as did Furmanski in the 100 Backstroke. Kovaleski, Sanchez and Brown were also all on the winning 400 Freestyle Relay team.

The Albion girls squad, which is looking to rebound from an 0-10 N-O season, is led by the veteran quartet of juniors Michaela Pantano and Laiken Ricker along with sophomores Avery Gaines and Amelia Sanchez. Pantano placed second in the 100 Butterfly at the All-League meet.

After tuning up with a pair of non league meets against Genesee Region League foes Albion will begin N-O competition at Medina on December 11.

Schedule
November: 30 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 5:30 p.m.
December: 7 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Medina, 4 p.m.; 13 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.; 18 – Barker, 4:30 pm.; 21 – Newfane,5 p.m.
January: 3 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Medina, 10 a.m.; 8 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 23 – Boys All-League meet at Akron, 5:30 p.m.; 25 – Girls All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
February: 1 – Girls N-O vs. G-R meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.