By Chris Brooks, WellsvilleSports.com
WELLSVILLE — It was originally supposed to be a road trip to Hornell on Tuesday. But due to unforeseen circumstances regarding the pool in the Maple City, the Lady Lions of Wellsville would wind up hosting their home opener one week early against the Lady Red Raiders.
And what a successful home debut for the back-to-back Section V champions it was, as they recorded victories in the first seven events to set the tone right away, rolling towards an eventual 71-38 win.
“For the second meet of the year, the girls are swimming well. With the loss of five seniors, we’re still working on where the girls will swim the best at the year-end meets,” said Lady Sea Lions coach Steve Hand. “Tonight, girls moved around to swim some different events, and they responded well to that challenge. The girls scored good points while posting some fast times as well. We’re still looking for the right combinations in relays, but we’re hoping to get everyone even faster in the next few meets.”
Six different Lady Sea Lions (2-0) all posted victories in the water to pair with their lone 200 medley relay triumph to begin the meet, as the team of Grace Kinnicutt, Hayden Waldon, Tiernee Brandes and Morgan Mattison collaborated on a winning 2:10.85 time.
The four swimmers were amongst the individual winners for the hosts, with Kinnicutt medaling in the 100 freestyle, Waldon in the 200 individual medley relay, Brandes in the 50 freestyle and Mattison in the 100 butterfly. The Oswald siblings — Kaylee and Ashley would round off the medaling performances for the Lady Sea Lions, with Kaylee placing first in the 200 freestyle, and Ashley grabbing the winning score off the Diving board.
Hornell would grab just three wins in the water, all in the back half of the meet, with Evelyn Striker and Cecilia Wall coming away winners in the 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke, respectively. The Lady Red Raiders would also garner a winning time in the 200 freestyle relay along the way.
Wellsville will now take aim at a 3-0 start when they hit the road Thursday night for a 5:45 p.m. first swim in Olean, as they take on the host Lady Huskies.
Team Scores: Wellsville 71, Hornell 38.
200 Medley – 1. Wellsville (Kinnicutt, Waldon, Brandes, Mattison) 2:10.85, 2. Wellsville.
200 Free – 1. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV) 2:23.22, 2. Emily Budinger (WLSV), 3. Sara McCormick (WLSV).
200 IMR – 1. Hayden Waldon (WLSV) 2:24.62, 2. Allie Bidzerkowny (WLSV), 3. Cecilia Wall (HHS).
50 Free – 1. Tiernee Brandes (WLSV) 28.51, 2. Kennedy Ewing (WLSV), 3. Margaret Hall (HHS).
Diving – 1. Ashley Oswald (WLSV) 161.17.
100 Fly – 1. Morgan Mattison (WLSV) 1:10.26.
100 Free – 1. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV) 1:00.72, 2. Sara McCormick (WLSV), 3. Gabby Passero (HHS).
200 Relay – 1. Hornell (Chace, Hall, Briggs, Passero) 2:23.81.
100 Back – 1. Evelyn Striker (HHS) 1:20.54, 2. Margaret Hall (HHS).
100 Breaststroke – 1. Cecilia Wall (HHS) 1:30.03
