M-W swim and drive teams captures title

CENTRAL VALLEY — The Monroe-Woodbury Girls Varsity Swimming and Diving team captured its first Section IX title last weekend at the sectional championships held at Valley Central High School in Montgomery.

The team finished the season undefeated as league champions, OCIAA champions and Section IX champions.

Coach Justin Wright, who was recognized as “coach of the year,” described the accomplishment as “a total team effort” as 14 athletes earned points in the win. They were: Taylor Stalnaker, Morgan Fairclough, Claudia Kolakowski, Emily McGurk, Kelly Lambkin, Natalie Shoiock, Charmaine Barlao, Jenn Paul, Tierney Gillen, Jess Ellis, Rachel Malzacher, Erica Bachiller, Caroline Cole, and Britney Klippel.

Additional meet highlights included:

The medley relay (Taylor Stalnaker, Morgan Fairclough, Claudia Kolakowski and Emily McGurk) set a Section IX and team record (1:48.76). The swimmers are ranked second in the state.

Morgan Fairclough, who won both the 200 IM (2:08.27) and the 100 Back (56.78).

Taylor Stalnaker, who finished second in the 200 Free (1:55.55) and the 100 Back (56.92).

Emily McGurk, who won the 100 free (55.05).

The 400 freestyle relay: Jenn Paul, Emily McGurk, Morgan Fairclough and Taylor Stalnaker set a new school record (3:38.64 and qualified for the state championships.

Next week Fairclough, McGurk, Kolakowski, Stalnaker, Paul, Shoiock and Lambkin will travel to Ithaca for the state championships.