Once again, the West Genesee girls swim team reigns atop the CNY Counties League.
The issue remained unresolved until the last meet of the regular season Tuesday night, when the undefeated Wildcats visited undefeated Baldwinsville. But WG proved to have too much overall strength, recording a 53-39 victory over the Bees.
As it put together a 7-0 mark, the Wildcats had watched B’ville break out this fall, going 6-0 before their head-to-head match at the Baker High School pool.
Right from the start, though, WG would lead. Kim Pedrotti and Olivia Castro joined Brianna Smith and Jessie Brusa as, together, they won the 200 medley relay in a time of 1:58.90, just ahead of B’ville, who finished in 2:00.44.
In the very next race, the 200 freestyle, Castro returned, and the freshman star claimed first place in 2:03.11. From there, she went on to the 100 freestyle, where in 55.93 seconds Castro earned another title.
Pedrotti offered further insurance. She won a tight 200 individual medley over B’ville’s Charis Parker, 2:22.68 to Parker’s 2:24.01, and pulled away in the 500 freestyle for another victory in 5:40.22.
Smith had her big moment in the 100 backstroke, beating the field with a time of 1:05.62. Gianna Branca stepped in during the 50 freestyle and took first place in 27.28 seconds, while Shannon Cahalan held off the Bees’ Kaitlyn Martin, 1:07.10 to 1:07.65.
To offer a further cushion, Branca, Castro, Becca Kanoza and Sinead Guy tore through the 200 freestyle relay in 1:47.12, a full three seconds clear of B’ville’s best quartet.
WG hosts its own invitational on Friday. On Nov. 2, the Wildcats head to Nottingham’s Max Newman Pool, where the Section III championships run through Nov. 5 and it hopes to dethrone defending champion CBA.
