Rye’s swimmers proved their mettle at the New York State Championships in Buffalo last month.

 

Rye’s swimmers proved their mettle at the New York State Championships in Buffalo last month.

Melissa Fulenwider paced not only the Garnets, but all of Section 1’s competitors. She swam her fastest breaststroke ever in the 100-meter event, finishing fourth overall with a time of 1:05.19. She also placed seventh in the 100 freestyle, clocking in at 52.82.

The 400 freestyle relay team, composed of Fulenwider, Charlotte Nixon, Kelly Delane, and Katie Konopka, placed 13th by touching home in 3:40.98. That same foursome finished 18th in the 200 medley relay. Nixon also competed in the 100 backstroke, placing 28th at 1:00.62.

 

Diving phenom Coco Darelius also dazzled at States, and stormed back from 21st in the preliminaries to finish eighth overall.

 

Rye’s success in Buffalo came on the heels of a 7-1 regular season, in which they qualified 11 Garnets for the Section championships. Fulenwider won both the 100 freestyle and breaststroke events.

 

“It was a great season,” said head coach Shannon Bolger. “And next year we should be just as good!” n

 

— Melanie Cane