Barker nips Albion to share N-O swim lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 January 2018 at 1:54 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Adam Wagner splashes to a win in the 200 Freestyle during the Raiders key victory over host Albion today.

In a bizarre finish, Barker edged past host Albion 48-46 today to move into a tie for first place atop the Niagara-Orleans League boys swim standings.

Trailing 43-41, Barker claimed the victory by taking the final relay event as Albion’s winning quartet was disqualified. The Raiders quartet of Andrew Jenks, Alexander Jenks, Adam Wagner and Collin Webb were credited with the win earning Barker the narrow victory.

In avenging an a season opening 95-75 home pool loss, Barker now pulls even with Albion for the N-O lead at 5-1.

Albion’s Matt Kovaleski in route to scoring a win in the 100 Breaststroke.

Andrew and Alexander Jenks and Webb also teamed up with Dominic Clementi to win the meet opening 200 Medley Relay.

In the individual events, Wagner doubled in the 200 Fee and 500 Free and Webb in the 100 Free and 100 Backstroke as Andrew Jenks captured the 50 Free.

Matt Kovaleski doubled in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke and Sam Sanchez took the 100 Butterfly for Albion.

Kovaleski and Sam Sanchez also combined with Harrison Brown and Carlitos Sanchez to win the 200 Free Relay which rallied the Purple Eagles into the lead at 35-33.

The teams then traded wins with Webb taking the Backstroke and Kovaleski the Breaststroke keeping the Purple Eagles up by two, 43-41 heading into the decisive final relay whose outcome ended up being decided by a disqualification.

Barker also downed Albion in the girls meet 67-24 to regain the .500 mark at 3-3.

Natalie Menz doubled in the 50 Free and 100 Backstroke and Sara Gendrue in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke to lead the way for Barker as Carla Stoloski captured the 200 Free, Natalie Bruning the 100 Free and Ella Gooding the 500 Free.

In the relays, Bruning, Gendrue,and Menz teamed up with Chloe Goodlander to win the 200 Medley while Bruning, Gooding, Paige Sandolfini and Katrina Clare took the 200 Fee and Gendrue, Menz, Goodlander and Gooding the 400 Free.

Albion’s Michaela Pantano took the 100 Butterfly.

Andrew Jenks in action for Barker during the decisive meet ending 400 Free Relay.

Sam Sanchez heads toward a win for Albion in the 100 Butterfly.