Lightning swimmers bring home multiple medals
More than 1,000 young swimmers from 64 teams descended upon the Webster Aquatic Center for the annual Niagara LSC Swimming Championships, featuring USA Swimming’s top athletes from the central and western parts of New York State. The competition was fast and fierce as many of the athletes in attendance were vying for the opportunity to represent Niagara LSC in the Eastern Zone Short Course Championships held March 30-April 1, 2017.
The Skaneateles Lightning Swim Team contributed 11 swimmers to the overall roster.
The top-scoring Lightning swimmer AJ Teixeira, age 14 from Skaneateles, NY, captured a bronze medal in the boys 13-14 year-old 200 Breaststroke event and was a top six finisher in the 500 Freestyle, 200 Medley, 100 Back, 200 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke.
Jonah Williams, 10 years-old from Skaneateles, NY, won a silver medal in the boys 9-10year-old 50 Breaststroke and bronze in the 100 Breaststroke. He also placed 4th place in both the 500 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle events.
Twelve-year-old Hana Spauldingfrom Manlius, NY, grabbed silver medals in the 50 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle events and added a bronze in the 100 Freestyle.
Standout Justin Nowicki, 11 years old from Syracuse, NY, placed in the top seven in each of his seven events.
Also contributing to the team’s medal count were Lightning swimmers Lily Buchholz (14, Skaneateles), Ashley Drotar (14, Skaneateles), Chloe Hanson (11, Skaneateles), Morgan Kingsley (13, Cazenovia), Maddie Nowicki (15, Syracuse), Sam Olmsted (14, Manlius), Alice Spaulding (11, Manlius), and Noelle Staso (17, Baldwinsville).
“It was a great showing,” Lightning head coach Seth Williams said. “Our team has grown in numbers and in the quality of swimmer here in Skaneateles. We have nearly doubled our team points at this meet in two seasons and finished in 17th place.” The Lightning are now competing against the large teams of Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.
Five Lightning Swimmers represented NY in the Eastern Zone Short Course Championships held March 30-April 1, 2017. USA Swimming divides the US into four zones: Eastern, Central, Southern and Western. AJ Teixeira, Jonah Williams, Hana Spaulding, Justin Nowicki and Maddie Nowicki will be among the fastest age group swimmers to compete against other LSC’s in the Easter Zone Championships.
