By Ryan Nagelhout
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
Every high school team sees their best players graduate eventually, but not every team loses almost half its squad to graduation.
That’s the case with Niagara Falls girls swim team, which loses 14 players and heads into the fall with a lot to prove to the rest of the Niagara Frontier League.
“That’s the most we’ve ever lost in the history of this city, from both LaSalle and Niagara Falls High School,” said swim coach Ed Maynard.
The Wolverines see 14 swimmers depart including Ana Gabriele (free), Kristen Champoux (free), Ashley Eddings (free) and Kelsey Ward (back).
“The list just keeps going on and on, and those are just some of the state qualifiers that we lost,” Maynard said. While the big names are notable, Maynard said just losing that many players will also hurt team scores for a group that went 6-1 in the NFL last season.
“We lost key people that may not have been state qualifiers, but people that keep the team beating. Keep us respectful,” he said. With just over 30 swimmers on the girls team, Maynard admitted this year will be tough but said his squad is optimistic about living up to the Falls’ reputation as a strong swimmnig program.
“Even though we lost those 14 we’re still a pretty good team,” Maynard said. “We’re looking at that as a form of motivation to keep the team going because I think our girls still want that respect. They’re hungry for it.”
The Wolverines will be anchored by sophomore Emily York, defending NFL chamption in the 100 freestyle. The state qualifier suddenly becomes a veteran presence on a team filled with younger players, but coach Maynard still thinks his team is in for a strong season.
“It’s definitely going to be a rough year,” he said, “but I still think we have enough talent on the team to maybe not win it all, but at least be respectable.”
Niagara-Wheatfield
The Falcons also see a large number of seniors leave the team, but a pair of state qualifiers return to a large squad this season.
Senior Marissa Oakey and sophomore Marissa Watroba (100 fly, 200 IM, freestyle) lead a team that lost over a dozen seniors themselves, but their coach is confident his group will remain strong.
“Luckilly one of the strengths of our program is the size,” said Falcons head coach Sean O’Brien. “We’re still at about 50 girls just because we’ve had some young girls really step up and fill in some gaps.”
Lewiston-Porter
The Lancers see standout Chelsea O’Laughlin leave a squad that finished 2-8 last season, but some key pieces remain for coach Josh Janese.
O’Laughlin, a three-time sectionals finalist in the 50M Freestyle, will be spelled by senior Audrey Krause, who will also swim in the 100 Free.
Shannon McDonald will join Krause in the 100 Free and swim the 200 as well. The pair of seniors hope to anchor a team looking to improve with the help of some veteran leadership.
