
From left: Frewsburg/Falconer/Jamestown/Southwestern swimmers Landon Stormer, Connor Dean, Miles Moore, Grady Moore, Aidan McCreary and Ethan Swan. The college will compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships in Ithaca today and tomorrow. Also missing are Xander Pitts and Daniel Peterson.Photo by Sherry Phillips
Landon Frederes, Connor Dean, Myles Moore, Grady Moore, Aidan McCreary and Ethan Swann are trying to get into position on the deck at one end of the Southwestern Elementary School pool while being watched by several coaches, protectors, and others. receive instructions from the photographer.
The purpose of the Frewsburg/Falconer/Jamestown/Southwestern swim team's state qualifying photo shoot was to capture them diving into the deep end at the same time, in preparation for this weekend's New York State Swimming Meet. Take a pleasant break to relieve your fatigue. High School Athletic Association Championships held at Ithaca College.
So it's up to Grady Moore to give instructions to his teammates.
“When I say jump, jump,” he yells. “I’m going to jump to ‘Go!’!”
After some final exchanges with the assembled observers, Grady, designated “quarterback,” called the play.
“Three, two, one,” he shouted. “go!”
In the blink of an eye, they disappear into the pool, but then some very cool photos were taken by photographer extraordinaire Shelly Phillips. A digital image shared moments later shows several teens literally standing on water.
Considering how the teenagers performed this winter, including diver Alexander Pitts (who was absent due to school commitments), it's hard to imagine they could have pulled off such a miracle. do not have.
All that remains is to see how it performs this winter.
Coaches Bruce Johnson, Ian Moore, Glenn Shoup, Mitch Simmons, Scott Scholeno and Nancy Johnson have certainly been watching closely and like what they've seen.
Bruce Johnson said with a smile, “My first words would be, “That's amazing.''
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
How good was the Bears team this season?
Well, in the first game, Johnson's staff set seven records and began a historic run that is perhaps the best collective effort in program history. It all culminates in the state championships, which begin today and run through Saturday.
For the record, Dean (200 yard individual medley). Miles Moore (50 yard freestyle). McCreary (50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle). and Grady Moore (100-yard butterfly), all of whom had qualified for the individual events, instead combined their talents to complete the 200-yard medley (1:35.57) and 200-yard freestyle (1:35.57). (1:25.44) and chose to compete only in the 200-yard freestyle. 400-yard freestyle relay (3:09.73).
“The kids made the decision to compete in all three relays,” Johnson said. “We were only scheduled to compete in the 200-meter medley and 400-meter free, but then at the state qualifying meet we swam 1:25.44, which is a consideration time for All-Americans. … Among them Some had to abandon separate events to do that, but they made that decision and that's fine with me, so we'll see what happens. Let's.”
The Bears' 200 medley relay consists of Frederes (backstroke), Dean (breaststroke), Grady Moore (butterfly) and Myles Moore (freestyle).
“This is the third-fastest seeding time, but the fastest team, St. Anthony's (1:31.95), is missing their 'man', their breasted stroker,” Johnson said. “He's nowhere in the game. … So the velocity slowed down by about two or three seconds, and from 1 minute 31 seconds he went from 1 minute 34 seconds to now he's 1 minute 35 seconds.”
The fourth-seeded 200-yard freestyle relay consisted of McCleary, Dean, Grady Moore, and Miles Moore, and the third-seeded 400-yard freestyle relay consisted of McCleary, Grady Moore, Dean, and Miles Moore. will participate.
“I think we have a chance to win either way,” Johnson said. “Especially with him in the 200 free relay and him in the 200 medley relay, you never know. Anything can happen.
“If I finished in the top eight in every match, that's entirely possible and I'd be really happy, but I always wish I could win one thing and come out on top.'' About that podium. ”
The Bears' time in the 400 freestyle relay broke a Section VI record.
“It didn't really hit me until a few days later,” Johnson said. “The record we broke was 26 years ago, but how many years before that did swimming exist?” And are we the fastest in history? That's humbling in a way. ”
Also representing the Bears this weekend will be Pitts, who will be jumping into the state tournament for the second year in a row.
“I think he's really improved,” Johnson said. “He increased the difficulty with four or five dives. … I think he can make a legitimate shot.”
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
At last year's state meet, the Bears' best performance was in the 200-meter freestyle relay, where the team of Gannon, Grady, Miles Moore and Brady Lindstrom placed sixth among public schools and seventh overall.
“We were seven to 10 seconds away from winning,” Johnson said.
Twelve months later, the expectations were even higher.
“We just kept getting faster and faster all year,” Johnson said. “Hopefully we have enough left for one more good performance and maybe win a state championship.”
One interested observer from afar is former Jamestown High School coach and Chautauqua Sports Hall of Famer Bill Rollinger. He coached Mr. Johnson 50 years ago when he was a middle school swimmer.
“He was the first person I met at the CSHOF banquet (Feb. 19) and he gave me a big bear hug,” said Johnson, who has also been a coach for 46 years. said. “He said, “Your kids are swimming so fast.'' What makes them so fast?'' He said, “We're just swimming fast in practice.'' We're just running away as fast as we can. ”