DeSales Competes at NCSLC
The DeSales Knights swim team competed this past Sunday at the University of Buffalo competing in the Neumann Catholic League Championships. The week prior, the Knights wrapped up the regular season going undefeated and winning the Division 3 league title. The Knights carried this success into this meet and the 8th grade class left in record breaking style.
In the 8 and under division, the 100 medley relay consisting of Oliva Baker, Samantha Fox, Jordan Kirchberger and Jonathan Cordle finished 8th overall. In individual events, Jordan Kirchberger finished 3rd overall in both the 100IM and 25 backstroke while Samantha Fox finished 6th overall.
In the 9-10 division, the quartet of Gabriel McQueen, Dylan Lamont, RJ Cordle, and William Swartz teamed up 2 times and competed in the 200 medley relay and finished 5th overall and finished 2nd overall in the 200 free relay. In individual competition, Swartz placed 3rd in the 50 back and 2nd in the 50 free. Dylan LaMont finished 2nd overall in the 50 fly.
The 11 and older division and the 8th grade class made a strong case as being recognized as the most dominant age group across the entire Neumann League. Eighth graders Madison Fragale, Gracie Cordle, Natalie Killion and Aidan Morgan broke 2 relay records that were establish the previous year by the Knights. The relay finished 1st overall with a time of 1:56.94 in the 200 medley relay and then went on to break 200 free relay record by lowering it another 3 seconds with a new time of 1:43.57 . The Knights other 200 free relay, composed of Elizabeth Swartz, Lydia Lamont, Griffin Rignel, and Jack Strong, finished 7th overall. In individual events, Fragale won the 50 breast and finished 3rd in the 50 backstroke, Cordle finished 2nd in the breast and 6th in the 50 free, Killion won both the 200IM and 50 fly setting 2 new female league records in the process with times of 2:13.64 and 26.54 respectively. Morgan went on to win both the 50 freestyle and 50 backstroke. Other top performers were Strong who finished 5th in the 50 free and 4th in the 100 free while 8th grader Swartz finished 7th overall in the 100 free.
The Neumann Catholic Swim League consists of 19 teams with 733 swimmers competing at the league championship. The DeSales Knights would like to thank the parents and coaches that helped make this year a huge success. The Knights say goodbye and thank you to Coach Aric Morgan and Mark Fragale who now retire as coaches with the graduating 8th grade class. The Knights also say thank you and goodbye to Marisa Morgan who also retires as team coordinator/coach and league president after many years of service. The Morgans and Fragales would like to express their thanks to the administration and parents that have supported them over the years and allowing them the honor of coaching this team. To the graduating 8th grade class, congratulations and thank you for representing DeSales with pride and honor and good luck at your respective high schools next year.
Picture of 8th graders/record breaking relays: Aidan Morgan, Gracie Cordle, Madison Fragale, and Natalie Killion
