She-Sharks Place 2nd in Sectional Swim
    November 14, 2002

By Tom Garigen/Messenger Post Correspondent

Webster, NY - The Fairport, Webster-Schroeder, and Penfield girls swimming teams competed in the Class A championships and finished second, third, and fourth respectively.

The strong showing by these schools also included many individual performances that will result in an appearance at the state meet.

Fairport finished with 358.5 team points, behind only Pittsford, who amassed 550 points. Webster-Schroeder had 256.5 points and Penfield added 215. These four schools battled it out with each other the entire meet, and all four took turns standing on the victory stand.

Pittsford was out in front pretty much from the beginning. They won the opening race, the 200-yard medley relay and were in control from there. It was especially impressive because Fairport had won the previous five team titles and 10 of the last 11. Pittsford's Kate Wilson, who qualified for states in four different events, was named swimmer of the meet.

Erin Legg and Marlys Fuqua led Fairport throughout the meet. Legg, who was named Monroe County's Outstanding Swimmer of the Year at the intermission, won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, qualifying for the state meet in both events.

"I'm happy with the results but there is always room for improvement, " Legg said about her performance. She was also part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that will compete in the state meet.

Fuqua got off to a strong start for the Red Raiders. The sophomore won the first individual event, the 200-yard freestyle, in a state qualifying time of 1:55.19. Fuqua also qualified for states in the 500-yard freestyle, easily winning the event with a time of 5:07.22.

"It's a great honor to go to states, " said Fuqua, who along with Legg competed on the 200-yard freestyle relay team. "I'm happy for the seniors on the team who get to go. They've done well all year. "

Penfield was led by Justine Blaho, the Monroe County Division I swimmer of the year. Blaho finished second in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle and was the anchor of the Penfield 200-yard medley relay team that finished second to Pittsford. She was humble, however, about her honor.

"That was a huge shock, " Blaho said. "I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would win that award. "

Webster-Schroeder's third place finish was due in large part to its relay teams. The 200-yard medley relay squad, consisting of Audrey Emaus, Meghan Rosinski, Halyna Tarnawskyj, and Christine Rieth, finished in third place. The 200-yard freestyle team also finished third, behind the strong swimming of Emaus, Rosinski, Caitlin Crandall and Stephanie Ferrari.

The event took place at Webster-Schroeder's wonderful aquatic center. The center holds two pools that allowed girls to warm up before they swam in their respective races.

"It is a beautiful facility, " Blaho said. "It's a great place for these swimmers to compete. "

 

Originally published in the Perinton-Fairport Post

 

    
     

2002