It proved to be another happy night involving the Jamesville-DeWitt/CBA boys swim team. Only this time, the opposition provided the mirth.
Nearly five years after its last defeat, the Red Rams finally found itself on the wrong end of a decision again thanks to last Tuesday’s 99-87 loss to Mexico.
All the Tigers did was come into J-D/CBA’s home pool at J-D Middle School and end a 43-meet win streak that dated back to Jan. 13, 2004, and a defeat to Liverpool.
Mexico came in with sparkling credentials. It had started 4-0, and had smashed nine different pool or school records during those meets. J-D/CBA knew it was in for a challenge.
Those first two races set a clear tone. In the 200 medley relay, Mexico’s quartet of Shawn Parkhurst, Mike Vogelsang, Mike Hartwell and Josh Russo won in 1:43.45.
Then Parkhurst dueled with J-D/CBA’s Eric Jorgensen in a 200 freestyle classic. Jorgensen hit the wall in 1:51.20, just behind Parkhurst, whose time of 1:50.69 provided another victory for the Tigers.
The Rams would win the next two events, though, as Tyghe Speidel tore through the 200 individual medley in 2:04.51 and Scott Thieke won the 50 freestyle in 23.08 seconds. Ryan Daley (23.89 seconds) was third.
J-D/CBA then watched as Mexico’s Josh Lucas set yet another school record, earning 275.05 points, as the Rams’ Shawn Thieke (184.45 points) was runner-up.
On his own, Vogelsang gave Mexico a 100 butterfly victory in 55.29 seconds, while Parkhurst came back and beat Scott Thieke, 49.23 to 49.84 seconds, in the 100 freestyle.
Jorgensen then took his turn, tearing through the 500 freestyle in a winning 5:03.91 before teaming with Scott Thieke, Russ Farchione and Ryan Smith to win the 200 freestyle relay in 1:35.38.
Only when the Tigers got three of the top four spots in the 100 backstroke, with Russo edging Garrett Farchione 58.62 seconds to 58.84, did the visitors pull away. Speidel would still win the 100 breaststroke (1:03.58) and team with Jorgensen, Garrett Farchione and Scott Thieke to win the 400 freestyle relay in 3:25.70.
A month from now — Jan. 22, to be precise — J-D/CBA and Mexico will have a rematch in Oswego County. For now, the Rams get ready to face New Hartford Thursday night.
