EXPANDING HORIZONS
The Frontier League is growing, by four more teams.
One hundred and seventy-four miles — or about three hours of driving — now separate the league's most northern girls swimming school from the most southern.
Rome Free Academy, Utica Proctor, Cooperstown and Sherburne-Earlville have joined the Frontier League as associate members for boys and girls swimming.
"I believe the more competition you have in your league the greater the outcome will be," said Holland Patent coach Mark Celecki, whose school has been a member of the Frontier League since the league first accommodated girls swimming around 1992.
Considering the long distance between many of the schools, the 16 teams will now be split into North and South divisions. The North will be comprised of schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties, while the South will be made up of Utica-area and south-of-Utica schools. Teams in the North and South won't swim each other until league championship time.
Carthage coach Nancy Mushtare finds favor in the changes.
"We now will swim schools in our own area, more of a traditional Frontier League," she said. "No more trips that get the kids home at 10 p.m. on a school night. This is a big plus."
Watertown coach Lori Peters agreed that the reduction in travel will be wonderful.
"I couldn't ask for a better travel schedule," she said. "Traveling an hour and a half, sometimes two hours for a swim meet, and then competing, and then turning around and traveling two hours home, that was crazy."
Watertown, Carthage, Indian River and South Jefferson will make up the North's "A" Division (larger schools), while the "B" Division will include Lowville, Beaver River, South Lewis and Thousand Islands.
Holland Patent, Whitesboro, Adirondack and West Canada Valley are joined by the four newcomers to make up the South.
The North and South won't crossover for dual meets during the regular season, but the "A" Division schools in the North and South will compete for the league championship. Same for the "B" teams.
Beaver River coach Anne Davis likes this arrangement.
"We will be competing against schools that have a similar enrollment to Beaver River, allowing us to possibly earn more ribbons and points," she noted.
Although the new alignment of the Frontier League is fairly ideal, there have been a few concerns.
Beaver River, which generated its most successful season last year, will now go up against Lowville in its division instead of West Canada Valley.
"Lowville is a team with a long history of strong swimmers and will be more difficult for the other "B" North schools to beat," Davis said.
The veteran coaches say they'll miss competing against some of their former rivals.
"The North schools and South schools never get to compete against each other in dual meets," said Davis, in her 24th year coaching. "We won't get to swim some of the schools that we've been competing against for years. It no longer feels like we are a close-knit league but rather a league divided into two divisions."
Peters, who is entering her 17th season as head coach of the Cyclones, feels the same way.
"It's kind of a bittersweet situation because we have swam the southern schools for so long," she said. "And now the way the league is set up, we don't have those dual meets with them unless you set something up on your own."
Watertown, Holland Patent and Whitesboro, which used to swim each other twice during the regular season, now have no dual meets with each other built into the schedule. Howver, those schools will meet at Watertown's invitational on Sept. 18 and at the league championship.
"What I will miss is the dual meet competition with the northern teams that I competed against for so many years," Celecki said. "We have had some great friendly rivalries over the years with Watertown and Lowville."
According to Peters, Adirondack coach Morgan Thisse mentioned at the league meeting how the girls on his team were disappointed they weren't in the northern division.
"To them, their rivals are South Lewis, Lowville, Beaver River; that's their rival competition," Peters said. "Now they're not swimming them at all."
Excitement and uncertainty are what the new teams to the league are facing. For the most part, each broke away from their former leagues because they didn't feel they belonged there. They had trouble matching up with the stronger competition those leagues offered. Cooperstown and Sherburne-Earlville, which are Section 3 schools, were in a league with Section 4 teams.
Michelle Moore, who has coached Rome Free Academy for eight years, is excited for the opportunity to compete in the Frontier League. Her team was a member of the Central New York Counties League (CNYCL), along with the large Syracuse schools, and finished 2-10 overall, 2-7 league last season. She swam for Adirondack when she was in high school, so she is somewhat familiar with Frontier League competition.
"I can't wait!" Moore said. "It will be a new and challenging experience, not only for me as a coach, but also for my swimmers. We are looking forward to be part of the new Frontier League."
NORTH DIVISION
Outlook: An interesting battle may break out between Watertown, a perennial favorite, and Carthage, which has produced success in recent years. For the Comets, versatile swimmerAshley Peckshould help fill the void left by 2010 graduates Emily Sauter and Maggie Pogue. The Cyclones, who lost key members from their relays, will be led bySamantha FavretandKathryn McKinney. Indian River, which has the smallest squad in the North, will rely on effortsKatie McCrum, an experienced freestyler and backstroker, andRachael Rodriquez, who excelled as an 8th grader last year. South Jefferson will continue to improve, withMeagan Scottto lead the way.
Lowville, which was used to sharing the division with Carthage and Indian River, should not have a problem taking top honors in the "B" Division.Ashley Panowicz, who set two school records last season, andNicole Birchenoughwill pace the Red Raiders. Beaver River is in good position for another respectable season, while Thousand Islands may struggle from the loss of key swimmers from last year's squad.
"A" Division
Carthage Comets
Coach: Nancy Mushtare (5th year).
2009 record: 12-2.
Roster: Briana Bates (Sr.), Alicia Chisholm (Sr.), Brooke Johnson (Sr.), Melissa McGowan (Sr.), Jorden Mead (Sr.), Ashley Peck (Sr.), Ashley Swan (Sr.), Amy Tiernan (Sr.), Adilen Cruz (Jr.), Brooke Downey (Jr.), Kylie Murphy (Jr.), Felicia Quinn (Jr.), Allison Stiller (Jr.), Allison Arquitt (So.), Christina Crafford (So.), Kelsea Hanzel-Burke (So.), Rachael Kepler (So.), Tiffany Lincoln (So.), Alina Mace (So.), Brooke Peebles (So.), Danielle Pickett (So.), Rhiannon Roberts (So.), Ashley VanWeort (So.), Courtney Williams (So.), Gabbi Wimmer (So.), Marianna Ames (Fr.), Allison Barber (Fr.), Kendra Bates (Fr.), Sidney Benardo (Fr.), Natasha Gamble (Fr.), Desiree Hodge (Fr.), Allison McGowan (Fr.), Gabriella Park (Fr.), Haylie Pickerin (Fr.), Claire Sauter (Fr.), Kirsten Stiller (Fr.).
Indian River Warriors
Coach: Alan Baker (9th year).
2009 record: 8-6.
Roster: Kendra Chisamore (Sr.), Samantha Fuller (Sr.), Katie McCrum (Sr.), Emily O'Driscoll (Sr.), Courtney Edgar (Jr.), Allyson Murphy (Jr.), Chelsie Wagar (Jr.), Tatyana Venable (So.), Deanna Westlake (So.), Abby Anderson (Fr.), Bailey Muntz (Fr.), Rachael Rodriquez (Fr.), Ksenia Shulimova (Fr.).
South Jefferson
Spartans
Coach: Tim Corbett (3rd year).
2009 record: 1-11.
Roster: Amanda DeFoe (Sr., Belleville Henderson), Guilia Deleonardo (Sr.), MacKenzie Gilett (Sr.), Andrea Howard (Sr.), Katy Murphy (Sr.), Colleen O'Riley (Sr.), Samantha Snyder (Sr.), Kayla Scully (Sr.), Amanda Towsley (Sr.), Ashley Towsley (Sr.), Shelly Babcock (Jr.), Kierstin Burke (Jr.), Brooke Goutremout (Jr.), Danielle O'Brien (Jr.), Kayla Perry (Jr.), Meagan Scott (Jr.), Meagan Sloan (Jr.), Miranda Smith (Jr.), Maggie Ambrose (So.), Jensen Beale (So.), Angela Cataldo (So.), Leah Conners (So.), Shelby Davis (So.), Whitney Hallett (So.), Megan Hansen (So.), Hannah Mullen (So.), Taylor Russell (So.), Megan Scully (So.), Kimberly Widrick (So.), Anna Gosselin (Fr.), Brittany Pfaff (Fr.), Heather Williams (Fr.).
Watertown Cyclones
Coach: Lori Peters (17th year).
2009 record: 11-3, 11-2.
Roster: Kristina Blackstock (Sr.), Ashley Kirch (Sr.), Emily Kirch (Sr.), Logan Macy (Sr.), Alisha Markanich (Sr.), Kathryn McKinney (Sr.), Emily Ahlheim (Jr.), Ashley Collins (Jr.), Elizabeth Davis (Jr.), Lauren Fercken (Jr.), Sara Glover (Jr.), Kylie Hanlin (Jr.), Alyssa Jefferds (Jr.), Lorelei Kerley (Jr.), Alexandra Marilley (Jr.), Jenjira Tansiranon (Jr.), Maria Bufalini (So.), Samantha Favret (So.), Sydney Finster (So.), Alicia Gayken (So.), Bree Jefferds (So.), Paxton Lawlee (So.), Meghan L'Huillier (So.), Kate Moore (So.), Brittney Thesier (So.), Tiffany Clement (Fr.), Kaylee Cook (Fr.), Meredith Griffin (Fr.), Lydia LaVere (Fr.), Abigail Wells (Fr.), Emily Medley (8th).
"B" Division
Beaver River Beavers
Coach: Anne Davis (24th year).
2009 record: 8-6-1.
Roster: Jamie Cook (Sr.), Lydia Gydesen (Sr.), Jaccilyn Jantzi (Sr.), Brittney Smith (Sr.), Jolene Stoffle (Sr.), Emily Wodka (Sr.), Anna Garrison (Jr.), Brianna Farney (Jr.), Lauren Jones (Jr.), Kylee Leviker (Jr.), Olivia McVoy (Jr.), Kalee Rhone (Jr.), Keegan Bowman (So.), Heather Bush (So.), Alexandra Davis (Fr.), Sidney Hawksley (Fr.), Melissa Hunt (Fr.), Katlyne McIntyre (Fr.), Ariel Ortlieb (Fr.), Shania Perretta (Fr.), Kasidee Rhone (Fr.).
Lowville Red Raiders
Coach: Bobb Watkins (22nd year, 220-72-3).
2009 record: 8-5.
Roster: Nicole Birchenough (Sr.), Cassie Bush (Sr.), Michelle Haapala (Sr.), Deborah Kaban (Sr.), Rachel Koster (Sr.), Ashley Panowicz (Sr.), Connor Scanlon (Sr.), Adrean Tiffany (Sr.), Chelsea Zehr (Sr.), Miranda Dunn (Jr.), Tabatha Hartshorn (Jr.), Olivia Jones (Jr.), Sheena Larkins (Jr.), Rachel Vincent (Jr.), Haley Zicari (Jr.), Kaitlyn Allen (So.), Chelsea Koster (So.), Chelsea Lobdell (So.), Megan Small (So.), Abigail Jantzi (Fr.), Kendell Lazarus (Fr.), Kelsey McLean (Fr.), Olivia Moshier (Fr.), Adrienne Tabolt (Fr.).
South Lewis Falcons
Coach: Neil Austin (11th year).
2009 record: 3-11.
Roster: Abby Black (Sr.), Carlin Chruscicki (Sr.), Lyndsey Croneiser (Sr.), Stephanie Czajka (Sr.), Jessie Ferris (Sr.), Kylie Foster (Sr.), Marissa Ward (Sr.), Molly Baker (Jr.), Ashley Doney (Jr.), Elizabeth Egnew (So.), Elizabeth Fairbanks (So.), Lyndsay Hurilla (So.), Emily Anderson (Fr.), Madeline Birgenheier (Fr.), Shawna Darling (Fr.), Myanna Gokey (Fr.), Rachael Humphrey (Fr.), Mia Poste (Fr.), Cheryl Staats (Fr.), Megan Woolschlager (Fr.).
Thousand Islands Vikings
Coach: Jon Benner (2nd year).
2009 record: 7-8.
Roster: Miranda Bechaz (Sr.), Sadie Mackenzie (Sr.), Lauryn Hess (Jr.), Steffanie Korcz (Jr.), Sarah Delaney (So.), Azure Garland (So.), Kara Garnsey (So.), Erica Sullivan (So.), Alesha Waterman (So.), Joanne Bechaz (Fr.), Stephanie Boon (Fr.), Daniela Conti (Fr.), Darien Fredrick (Fr.), Amanda Hunter (Fr.), Kim Korcz (Fr.), Larisa Pinchin (Fr.), Karly Sherman (Fr.), Taylor Baird (8th), Megan Rupp (8th).
SOUTH DIVISION
Outlook: Whitesboro may emerge as the dominant team in the South Division, based on its success in the Frontier League last season. The Warriors, despite a new coach and losing key seniors to graduation, have plenty of depth and should return with confidence. Expect Holland Patent and Rome Free Academy to battle for second place in the "A" Division. In the "B" Division a good competition should break out between Cooperstown and Adirondack.
"A" Division
Holland Patent
Golden Knights
Coach: Mark Celecki (23rd year).
2009 record: 8-7 overall, 7-6 Frontier League.
Roster: Melanie Burnett (Sr.), Kelsey Givens (Sr.), Sylvia Ross (Sr.), Madasyn Smith (Sr.), Sydney Alberico (Jr.), Brooke Babowicz (Jr.), Veronica Buckley (Jr.), Ashley Czarnecki (Jr.), Arianna Kousouros (Jr.), Jessica Lukashevich (Jr.), Marissa Mariano (Jr.), Rachel Sampson (Jr.), Ashley Villeneuve (Jr.), Lindsey Bingham (So.), Kristen Kessler (So.), Emilee Kocyba (So.), Sophia Mostafa (So.), Kelly O'Hern (So.), Lauren Owens (So.), Braeden Villeneuve (So.), Alex Wynne (So.), Samantha Cieniewicz (Fr.), Molly McCulloch (Fr.), Kaitlyn Mytych (Fr.), Martha Redmond (Fr.).
Rome Free Academy
Black Knights
Coach: Michelle Moore (8th year).
2009 record: 2-10 overall, 2-7 CNYCL.
Roster: Maya Aboumrad (Sr.), Lisa Barker (Sr.), Brianna DeHart (Sr.), Allyson Fiorenza (Sr.), Chelsea Land (Sr.), Rachel McNamara (Sr.), Taylor Pettinelli (Sr.), Jenna Rolf (Sr.), Stephanie Dibert (Jr.), Ashley Eadline (Jr.), Brittany Edwards (Jr.), Johanna Gulla (Jr.), Tyler King (Jr.), Tori Zecca (Jr.), Sarah Canarelli (So.), Nicolette Darois (So.), Victoria Darois (So.), Kristen Edwards (So.), Teira Hawkins (So.), Hannah Premo (So.), Whitney Stevens (So.), Megan Stubba (So.), Emily Canarelli (Fr.), Alyssa Fazio (Fr.), Alexia Gualtieri (Fr.), Emily Ingalls (Fr.), Brittney Liddy (Fr.), Morgan Mack (Fr.), Amy Marcoccia (Fr.), Jasmine Meerdink (Fr.), Lucy Mueni (Fr.), Kaylee Sharp (Fr.), Emily Tardugno (Fr.), Connie Trips (Fr.), Nicole Badalato (8th), Samantha Goodman (8th).
Utica Proctor Raiders
Coach: Jeff Friedel.
2009 record: League was CNYCL.
Roster: Shannon Alesworth (Sr.), Tabitha Johnson (Sr.), Miranda Majewicz (Sr.), Jenny Sexton (Sr.), Alyssa Brown (Jr.), Erin Brown (Jr.), Courtney Cohen (Jr.), Jenna Dunn (Jr.), Tabitha Krecidlo (Jr.), Tamara Krecidlo (Jr.), Elizabeth Murad (Jr.), Samantha Scholefied (Jr.). Alexandria Snow (Jr.), Jovenne Testa (Jr.), Taneisha Johnson (So.), Julia Bjornland (Fr.), Samantha Brown (Fr.), Shannon Lindsey (Fr.), Gabrielle Valeriano (Fr.).
Whitesboro Warriors
Coach: Kelsey Finegan (1st year).
2009 record: 13-1 overall, 13-0 Frontier League.
Roster: Caroline Pollard (Sr.), Jessica Wagner (Sr.), Megan Connors (Jr.), Brittney Domagal (Jr.), Allie Evolo (Jr.), Gabrielle Huther (Jr.), Emily Bushey (So.), Emily Filmer (So.), Alyssa Jennings (So.), Marissa Senior (So.), Miranda Cardillo (Fr.), Emily Deck (Fr.), Rebecca Galer (Fr.), Margaret Hilton (Fr.), Nicole Olney (Fr.), Krista Rounds (Fr.), Domenica Rusucci (Fr.), Lily Cossey (8th), Ashley Flint (8th), Alicia Galer (8th), Devon Gallimo (8th), Mary Stuhlman (8th), Alana Wielgosz (8th), Alexa Cardillo (7th), Holly Clark (7th), Alyssa Hill (7th), Corinne Filippelli (7th), Merissa Marthage (7th).
"B" Division
Adirondack Wildcats
Coach: Morgan Thisse (1st year).
2009 record: 2-9-1.
Roster: Disirae Campbell (Sr.), Jamie Cooley (Sr.), Katelyn Egnaczyk (Sr.), Stacey Judge (Sr.), Julianne Richards (Sr.), Michaela Wuethrich (Sr.), Kayla Backer (Jr.), Kalie Fiorenza (Jr.), Kaylee Gydesen (Jr.), Kaylee Howland (Jr.), Brooklyn Lee (Jr.), Jessica Machowski (Jr.), Kelsey Pfendler (Jr.), Lacey Schultz (Jr.), Jalessa Seavy (Jr.), Christie Lee (So.), Sara Mills (So.), Taylor Neilson (So.), Kasey Petrie (So.), Autumn Poppleton (So.), Judelle White (So.), Mindy Maryhugh (Fr.).
Cooperstown Redskins
Coach: Katie Haseley.
2009 record: League was MAC.
Sherburne-Earlville
Marauders
Coach: Russell Cutting (1st year).
2009 record: 5-5 MAC.
West Canada Valley
Indians
Coach: Eric Hansen (1st year).
2009 record: 0-11 Frontier League.
Roster: Mercedes Moody (Jr.), Allison Lewis (So.), Micheline Maxwell (So.), Kara Newman (So.), Hailee Schultz (So.), Victoria Eaton (Fr.), Hayley Yager (Fr.), Jewelia Ritter (8th), Taryen Schultz (8th), Stevie Kinzey (7th), Cora Maxwell (7th).
SECTION 10
SANDSTONERS STRONG AGAIN
Potsdam dominated the Northern Athletic Conference a year ago and claimed the team title at the Section 10 championship meet by 56 points over second-place Massena.
Expect more from the Sandstoners this year as they return three individuals who combined to win five individual Section 10 championships. Sarah Roll is the defending 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle champion. Liz Dempsey won the 50 and 100 freestyles and Michaela Bartlett won the 500 freestyle last year.
Two other individual champions return this season: Malone's Emily Smith, who won the 200 individual medley, and St. Lawrence Central's Anna Brothers, who won the 100 breaststroke. The only champion from last year who left the area is Canton's Bailey Phelps, who won the 100 backstroke.
