By David J. Hill
WEBSTER — Marissa Dressel closed out her Kenmore West swimming career in a big way Saturday at the state swimming and diving championships.
For the final race of the meet, and of her six-year career, Dressel joined teammates Lindsey Sagasta, Haley Rice and Leah Villari in capturing the state title in the 400-yard freestyle relay, winning in a Kenmore West record time of 3 minutes, 34.68 seconds.
The Blue Devils just edged I-Brewster by nine-tenths of a second and, in the process, became the first Kenmore West relay ever to win a state title.
“It was like a dream,” Dressel said. “I was cheering so loud I probably won’t have any voice tomorrow. It’s really hard to find four girls that can perform at that level at the exact same time. I’m speechless right now. “I’m so proud of all those girls. They did exactly what they needed to do. I told them it’s my last race, so we better make it good. They wanted to win just as much as I did.”
“It's really nice,” said Villari, who anchored the victory. “I love swimming with them and we all swim great together. I’m really happy. I knew we still had to work hard because everyone was gunning after us.”
That same Ken West quartet placed second in the 200 free relay, finishing in 1:38.83, just behind XI-Connequot.
Earlier in the meet, Dressel defended her title in the 100 yard freestyle, touching the wall first in 51.38 seconds, an automatic All-American time.
“I knew I was going to take it out fast enough to go under 52,” she said. “I had to focus on the things my coach was telling me: don’t get choppy, have a good finish and work my turns, because in the 100 you pretty much have to do a lot of things right because it’s so short. You don’t get room for error.”
Dressel placed third in her first race of the day, the 200 free (1:49.8). Also for West, Sagasta placed 12th in the 200 free (1:54.69), and Rice took seventh in the 100 butterfly (57.85).
Niagara Falls’ 200 free relay team of Ana Gabriele, Emily York, Kristen Champoux and Alexa Masker swam to a school record time of 1:41.01 to finish 14th overall.
“We've been trying to get the 200 free (relay) record for a couple times now and we finally got it,” said York, who placed 22nd overall and second in her heat in the 100 free with a time of 54.55. “It hasn't been broken since 2003, so it’s really nice to get that.”
The Wolverines also set a new school record of 3:43.33 in the 400 free relay, placing second in their heat. Gabriele led off the relay, followed by Champoux, Erin Sliwowski and York.
Lockport’s Erica Crane placed 17th in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.64), while North Tonawanda’s Andi Parish took 23rd in the breaststroke (1:09.01). Niagara-Wheatfield's Marissa Oakey placed 23rd in the 500 free (5:14.43) and 28th in the 200 free (1:59.39). Starpoint senior Jessica Peronne placed 23rd in the 50 free (25.14).
In diving, Lockport’s Ashley Keller, the Section VI champion, placed 10th with a score of 384.85. Grand Island senior Megan McInerney took 13th with a 381.40.
Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.
