By Nate Beutel
BUFFALO — Adorned in matching multi-colored Nike kicks, the Kenmore West quartet of Marissa Dressel, Haley Rice, Lindsey Sagasta and Leah Villari stepped up to the blocks for Saturday’s freestyle relays.
An hour later, the foursome was collecting its hardware as repeat Section VI champions at Erie Community College’s Flickinger Center.
“It’s a coordinated thing,” Dressel said of the shoes. “We all wear them in school, so we decided why not wear them to the meet?”
Rice added, “It’s a really cool thing. We all like to wear the same thing from the jacket, to the cap to the shoes. It’s just something to laugh about and have some fun with.”
There was no laughing from the competition, though as both the 200- and 400-yard free relays earned all-American consideration. The 200 free relay was a tightly-contested race between West and Clarence, but Sagasta’s anchor leg put her team over the top.
Individually, Dressel won both the 100 and 200 freestyle events. She swam season best times in both events to earn all-American consideration.
“I’m happy with (my times) for now, but hopefully I’ll hit my taper next week,” Dressel said.
Sagasta also had a strong day, taking second in the 500 free and third in the 200 free. Rice, meanwhile, was second in the 100 butterfly and fifth in the 200 individual medley. Alanna Blasting took sixth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 breast.
Niagara Falls, which finished as runner-up to Ken West in the Niagara Frontier League, has a strong showing as well. Its 200 free relay of Ana Gabriele, Emily York, Kristen Champoux and Alexa Masker came home third in a state-qualifying time. The 400 free relay quartet, which included Erin Sliwowski instead of Masker, was fourth. It has previously qualified for states. The Wolverines took sixth in the 200 medley relay. Also for NFHS, York took seventh and Gabriele was eighth in the 50 free.
“No, it wasn’t as good as last year when all three relays made it, but sending two relays to states is still pretty darn good,” Falls coach Ed Maynard said. “We were a little flat Friday, so it was nice see us come back with some better swims Saturday. I think we made our presence known. I was pleased.”
Niagara-Wheatfield was led by a strong performance from school-record holder Marissa Oakey. She took third in both the 200 and 500 free to qualify for state for the first time.
“I’m really excited because I’ve wanted this so bad for such a long time,” she said.
Teammate Marissa Watroba was eighth in the 100 fly and 100 breast and Alexxa Poliachik qualified for the state meet by winning the consolation heat in the 100 fly. N-W’s 200 medley and free relays were seventh.
North Tonawanda’s Andi Parish had a strong day, finishing third in the 100 breast and fourth in the 100 free. She also led off the Lady Jacks’ 200 free relay quartet, which came in fourth.
“I needed to get under 55 (seconds) in the 100 free and since I did that I think it took a big weight off my shoulders,” Parish said. “Hopefully I can continue to build off that next week.”
For Lockport, Karly Hartz was sixth in the 200 free and eighth in the 500 free. Erica Crane took sixth in the 100 breast.
Jessica Peronne was fourth in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 free to lead Starpoint’s contingent.
The state meet is scheduled to run Thursday through Saturday at Webster-Schroeder High School in suburban Rochester.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
