BUFFALO, NY - The Jamestown Community College (JCC) swimming and diving teams have a chance at a pair of Region 3 championships after day two of the event hosted by Erie Community College. With three of four sessions in the books, the JCC women have a commanding 183-point advantage over Genesee Community College, while the men are in second, just 54 points behind Genesee.
"Being that today was half the swim meet, both the men and women had superior meets. Everyone is swimming personal bests and putting themselves in great situations for the national meet," said head coach Todd Conklin.
Saturday started in perfect fashion for the Jayhawks; the women's 200 free relay team of Desiree Putt, Roxanne Lothian, Willow Chase, and Emily Swan captured a victory by over five seconds. That was followed up by the men locking in a first-place swim by finishing almost six seconds ahead of second with the team of Zach Johnson, Cameron Milewski, Diego Villarroel, and Daniel Peterson.
Next up was the 50 back, where Putt scored a second-place swim, the same position as the men's side from Christian Merrill.
It was a record-breaking performance for Lothian in the 400 individual medley; her time of 5:03:91 not only won but also broke a 13-year-old program record. Just behind the South African was Chase for a first and second finish for Jamestown. On the men's side, Villarreol captured second.
In the 100 fly, Samuel Hersom touched in fourth for the guys.
It was a perfect event for the ladies in the 200 free, with the top three spots going to the Jayhawks: Swan first, Cassie Lyon second, and Addison Lawson third. The guys also secured the win as Daniel Peterson won by over five seconds.
Then it was time to go to the diving well, where Milewski kept his streak against regional competition going, winning the 3-meter 6-dive with a score of 217.95.
Finally, in the morning session was the 400 medley relay. Jamestown's women again were flying. The team of Putt, Lothian, Chase, and Swan was crowned by over 17 seconds. The men ended the early period with a second place in the 400 medley relay from Merrill, Johnson, Villarroel, and Milewski to top off a very solid morning from JCC.
The evening session focused mostly on sprints, beginning with the 100 individual medley, where JCC's Sophia Gervasio brought home second, followed up by teammate Addison Lawson in third. Johnson took the top spot for the men, with Merrill closing hard to finish in third.
Next was the 500 free, the solo long swim of the night. Swan paced the field with a 5:52:90, nearly five seconds ahead of second place, teammate Cassie Lyon. Hersom took on the 500 for the men, where he claimed a second-place medal.
Then it was the 100 backstroke. Putt and Chase touched for another second and third for the Jayhawks, while Merrill reached for another third for the men.
It was a record-breaking performance in both the men's and women's 100 breaststroke. For the ladies, Lothian set another program-best time of 1:11:23; she was followed in second by Katrina Degroff. Johnson continues to add his name to the record wall with a second-place time of 58:54.
"With Roxanne breaking her third school record and Zach adding his second, those two are leading each side for the Jayhawks," mentioned Conklin.
Butterfly took center stage for the 200-yard event, where JCC only had Villarroel taking the water. The freshman grabbed silver in the green and gold.
The final event of the day was the 200 medley relay. The ladies snagged another victory from the team of Putt, Lothian, Chase, and Swan. The men also tasted gold behind the swims of Merrill, Milewski, Johnson, and Peterson.
"Overall, the coaches are very pleased with the performance that we have put in. Tomorrow is going to be nothing less than spectacular. Hopefully, we can wrap up both the men's and women's regional championships," finished Conklin.
The fourth and final session for the regional championships starts Sunday morning at 10:00 AM back in the Burt Flickinger Center at Erie Community College.
