Two of the area’s most prestigious girls swim programs got together when West Genesee met Christian Brothers Academy in Wednesday’s 2012 season opener.
And despite the fact that the Brothers won more individual events, the Wildcats’ depth, as illustrated by a series of second and third-place finishes, helped produce a 99-85 victory.
Immediately, WG went out in front by taking the 200 medley relay. Brianna Smith, Erin Dowler, Jessie Brusa and Olivia Castro posted a time of one minutes, 56.77 seconds, setting a swift standard for the rest of the fall.
Castro went on to push CBA star Summer Schmitt in two other events, finishing a close second in the 200 freestyle (1:58.80, to Schmitt’s 1:57.32) and 100 freestyle (54.17 seconds, to Schmitt’s 53.51).
Smith also had a pair of runner-up efforts, getting second in the 50 freestyle in 26.16 seconds behind Maggie Fletcher (25.66 seconds), and taking second (1:03.56) to Fletcher (1:02.73) in the 100 backstroke, too.
Shannon Cahalan’s work went beyond winning the 200 individual medley in 2:23.50. Later in the meet, Cahalan teamed with Brusa, Sinead Guy and Kaitlin Dunning as the Wildcats won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:49.45.
Abby Uczen worked her way to the top spot in diving by earning 186.35 points, while Abby Mullett was second in the 500 fresetyle in 5:51.95. Erin Dowler needed 1:12.72 for a second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke.
The Wildcats are home again next Wednesday to face Jamesville-DeWitt.
