Channel Cats look to keep rolling

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 November 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead Roy-Hart into the up coming swim season are these team captains. In front are Roy Phipps and Lyle Wagner. In back are Calee Coleman and Lindsay Wagner.

MIDDLEPORT – Looking to extend a lengthy title streak, the Roy-Hart boys swim squad is led this season by senior co-captains Roy Phipps and Lyle Wagner.

The Channel Cats have captured the Niagara-Orleans League championship the last seven years in a row going 70-0 during that stretch.

Phipps won both the 50 and 100 freestyle events and Wagner the 100 butterfly at last year’s N-O All-League meet.

The Channel Cats also return experience in seniors David Brooks and Evan Conley, junior Zach Augustyn, sophomores Ray Sack and Mason Spark and freshman Elliott Spitzer.

“It’s a young bunch but we’ve had a great turnout and they are very enthusiastic,” Coach Bruce Mathews said. “They are pushing each other and are doing real well.”

The Roy-Hart girls squad, which finished second in the N-O standings at 8-2 last year behind undefeated (10-0) Newfane, is led by co-captains Calee Coleman, a senior, and Lindsay Yates, a junior. Yates placed second in both the 100 and 200 freestyle events at last year’s All-League meet.

The Channel Cats also have veteran experience in seniors Courtney VanBuren and Melissa Zakrzewski, juniors Hannah Rausch and Carlee Coleman and freshmen Emily DiMayo and Alex Hill who placed second in both the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle events at the All-League meet.

“I think we can hold our own in the league,” Mathews said. “We’ve had a real good turnout and it’s coming together. I expect us to do as well as last year.”

Roy-Hart will compete in four non league meets against Genesee Region League opponents, beginning at Byron-Bergen on Nov. 25, before beginning N-O competition on Dec. 10 at home against Albion.

Roy-Hart’s Schedule

Nov. 25 – at Byron-Bergen, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 3 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 – at Alexander, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 – Wheatland-Chili, 3 p.m.
Dec. 10 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 – Girls All-League meet at Akron, 6 p.m.
Feb. 4 – Boys All-League meet at Newfane, 6 p.m.
Feb. 7 – Girls N-O vs. G-R meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.