Albion, Roy-Hart swimmers earn N-O honors

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 March 2019 at 4:48 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Amanda Hill has been named the N-O League’s Female Swimmer of the Year.

Albion senior Matthew Kovaleski and Roy-Hart freshman Amanda Hill have been named Niagara-Orleans League Swimmers of the Year.

Kovaleski took first place honors in the 50 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke at the N-O All-League meet and was also a member of the winning 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle relay teams.

Albion’s Matthew Kovaleski has been named the N-O League’s Male Swimmer of the Year.

He also helped Albion capture its first sectional championship. He again won both the 50 Free and 100 Breaststroke at the Section VI Class C championship meet and was a member of the winning 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle relay teams.

Kovaleski, who went undefeated in every duel meet as well as at the N-O and Class C meets, holds the school record in the Breaststroke (1:04.56) and was a member of the school record setting 200 Free Relay team (1:32.46).

“Matthew is one of our swim program’s most decorated swimmers,” said Albion Coach Carlos Burroughs. “He is a tremendous worker and leader, as evidenced by him being voted team captain by his peers. He does very well in the classroom and participates in a variety of activities other than swimming. He will be continuing his swim career in college in the fall.”

Hill took first place honors in the 200 Individual Medley and 500 Freestyle at the N-O All-League meet. She was also a member of the winning 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle relay teams.

She holds the Roy-Hart record in the 200 Freestyle (2:00.99) and has both the R-H and N-O record in the 500 Free (5:29.22). She was also a member of the R-H and N-O record setting 200 and 400 Freestyle Relay teams which had times of 1:45.05 and 3:50.75 respectively.

“Mandy is very dedicated, hardworking and enthusiastic about swimming,” said Roy-Hart Coach Dottie Barr. “As a freshmen Mandy set goals for herself and went for them! She went undefeated in all the races she swam in the regular season. The team goal of winning the N-O vs. G-R meet was of great importance to the team and Mandy and as the anchor of both winning relays the team won the meet.”