Channel Cats look to keep rolling in N-O swimming; Purple Eagles have youthful teams
Contributed Photo – Leading the Roy-Hart swim teams into the Niagara-Orleans League season will be this group of seniors. They include, from left, Jay Heideman, Chris Ulrich, Zach Livergood, Captain Jake Hagen, Brooke Livergood, Molly Russell, Amanda Hill and Charles Rickard.
Anchored by a good veteran nucleus Roy-Hart is looking to keep the momentum from last season which saw the Channel Cats capture the Niagara-Orleans League boys championship and the girls finish in the runnner-up spot.
The boys squad, which went 10-0 in N–O competition, is led by seniors Jake Hagen, who placed third in both the 100 and 200 Freestyle events at the N-O All-League meet, Charles Rickard (3rd in Breaststroke, 5th in 50 Free), Chris Ulrich (4th in 500 Free), Zach Livergood (5th in Backstroke) and Jay Heideman (6th in 200 Free) along with juniors Andrew Ossont (3rd in 50 Free and 5th in Breaststroke) and Max Stern and freshman Sean Labiak (5th in 500 Free).
Mandy Hill, who won both the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Free at the All-League meet, heads the veteran group for the girls squad which went 8-2 finishing second to undefeated (10-0) Akron). That veteran contingent also includes seniors Brooke Livergood (4th Breaststroke) and Molly Russell (5th Backstroke) along with juniors Alexis Seib (5th 50 Free) and Nadia White (6th 50 Free and Breaststroke) and sophomores Sophia Santella and Julie Miles.
“Medina should be our toughest meets for the boys and Akron for the girls,” said Coach Dottie Barr. “We just have to go into every meet really mentally focused.”
Roy-Hart will tune-up for the December 14 N-O opener at Newfane with a pair of meets against Genesee Region League foes. The Channel Cats will host Wheatland-Chili this Friday (5:30 p.m.) and then visit HAC on Dec. 7 (:30 p.m.)
Albion Purple Eagles
The accent is on youth for the Albion swim squads.
The veteran group for the Purple Eagles girls squad, which is looking to improve upon last year’s 2-8 N-O record, includes senior Emily Harling; junior Clara Bolton; sophomores Devynn Pearles, Hannah Pahura, Autumn Flugel, Mia Olles, Julia Fuller and freshman Willow Gaines.
The boys squad, which went 4-6, returns seniors Jacob Foote, Declan McCue, Dallas Ecker and Jeff Brown along with sophomores Mason Giattino, Finn McCue and Joel Stack and freshmen Matthew Kania, Leo Bolton and Seth Krenning.
Albion, which will host Barker in the N-O opener on Dec. 14, will host Attica this Friday (5:30 p.m.) and then visit Wheatland-Chili on Dec. 7 in non league tune-up meets.
