Though it knew quite well the depth and quality of its opposition in the Salt City Athletic Conference Metro division, the Baldwinsville girls swim team still received a rude welcome to the 2017 season.
The Bees had to face Cicero-North Syracuse at the Le Moyne College pool that the Northstars call home, and only won four races during a 96-68 defeat, though it included a 1-2 finish in the 100-yard butterfly where Kali Sacco prevailed in one minute, 10.65 seconds, edging Grace Skapura (1:10.98) for the top spot.
In an unusual occurrence, the same times were good enough to win the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard breaststroke. Emily Spaulding claimed the first of those races in 1:16.49, with Phelps Rowan second in 1:21.41, and then Skapura also needed 1:16.49 to take the breaststroke ahead of Olivia Ransiear in second place.
Clare Burke got close in the 200 freestyle, posting 2:14.65 to finish second behind C-NS’s Grace Devinney, who won in 2:12.45. Sacco had a second-place time of 2:30.45 in the 200 individual medley.
Sacco, Skapura, Spaulding and Alyse Baker were second in the 200 medley relay in 2:10.21, with Burke joining Spaulding, Baker and Skapura as the Bees were second (1:55.60) to the Northstars (1:50.83) in the 200 freestyle relay. Sacco, Burke, Spaulding and Kate Cornell swam the 400 freestyle relay in 4:37.83.
B’ville would come back to Le Moyne on Tuesday night because its next opponent, Christian Brothers Academy, also uses the Dolphins’ pool as a home facility. The Bees then visit Skaneateles on Thursday night.
