Seahorses have youthful squads

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead the Medina High swim teams into the upcoming season are these veterans. In front are Krista Nellist and Alyssa Beyer. In the second row are Emma Gardner, Haylee Cogovan and Andrea Toussaint. In the third row are Nick Dieter, Austin Heil and Derek Donley. In the top row are Chase Pecoraro and Austin Brown.

Underclassmen dominate the lineups for both the Medina boys and girls swim teams as the Seahorses prep for the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season.

Seniors Austin Heil, (3rd in the 50 freestyle, 4th in the 200 free at last year’s All-League meet), and Austin Brown (3rd in 200 individual medley, 6th in 100 butterfly) and junior Chase Pecoraro (2nd in 100 backstroke, 5th in 100 freestyle) head a sizable veteran contingent for the Medina boys squad.

That veteran group also includes seniors Derek Donley and Nick Dieter, sophomores Kristian Snyder and Kevin Capstick along with freshmen Mason Pecoraro and Daniel Heil.

Donley, Brown, Chase Pecoraro and Austin Heil were members of the 200 free relay team which placed second at the All-League meet.

In all the Seahorses youthful 16 member squad includes four seniors, two juniors, four sophomores, five freshman and one eighth grader.

Coach Aaron Moessinger’s Seahorses posted a 5-5 N-O record last season.

Junior Emma Gardner, who placed 3rd in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events at last year’s All-League meet, heads the veteran contingent for the Medina girls squad which also includes seniors Amanda McCauley and Krista Nellist, juniors Haylee Cogovan and Andrea Toussaint and freshman Alyssa Beyer.

The only other upperclassmen on the Seahorses squad are senior Adison Zavitz and junior Michaela Cardone as the 21 member team also has three sophomore, three freshman, six eighth graders and two seventh graders.

Coach Mary Dooley’s Seahorses went 4-5-1 last year in N-O competition.
Medina will have four non league meets against Genesee Region League foes before opening the N-O season at home on December 16 against Newfane.

Medina’s Schedule

Dec. 2 – at Wheatland-Chili, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 – at Albion, 10 a.m.
Jan. 13 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 – Boys All-League meet at Newfane, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 – Girls All-League meet at Akron, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 – Girls N-O vs. G-R Crossover Meet at Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.