Conestoga’s depth proves decisive on first day of Central League swim championships

Ridley >> The Conestoga High School boys and girls swimming/diving teams, both aiming for their ninth consecutive Central League Championships title, relied on their depth to hold a comfortable first-place lead after the first day of the Central League meet at Ridley High School Friday.

The Pioneer girls compiled 295 points, well ahead of second-place Radnor (171) and third-place Haverford (165). The Conestoga boys were in first place with 259 points, ahead of second-place Haverford (199.5) and third-place Springfield (163).

“Our team depth really buoys us along in this meet,” said Conestoga girls head coach Rob Kirkby. “We have some really top-notch performers, but all the way along the meet we’ve had several Conestoga girls on the (awards) podium, and they’re getting best (personal) times. This is such a good meet for us, and a real confidence-builder as we go into Districts. And it gives everyone on our team an opportunity, even the wide-eyed freshmen who are new to this meet – they almost always swim their best times (here), and that’s fun to see.”

Leading the way for the Conestoga girls were seniors Audrey Laganelli and Lily Robinson. Laganelli, who will be swimming for the U.S. Air Force Academy next winter, won the 200 free, breaking her own Ridley pool record at Centrals last year (1:51.56) with a clocking of 1:51.09. Robinson, who will be swimming for Brown University next winter, won the 50 free (23.52).

Both Robinson and Laganelli were part of the Pioneers’ first-place 200 free relay team, which posted a Ridley pool record 1:37.59. Two other seniors, Keira Haas and Ayala Miller were part of the winning quartet.

“Winning the 200 free relay with my friends was definitely the highlight of the day for me,” said Laganelli, who anchored the relay. “We were seeded second, and when we were behind the blocks for the race, we were really excited, dancing and having fun. We were losing by a little when I dove in, and I was thinking, ‘I don’t want to let my friends down,’ and I swam as fast as I could.”

Laganelli also broke her own Ridley pool record from last year’s Central League meet in winning the 200 free.

“I’m really happy that I broke the record again,” said Laganelli. “Last year I wasn’t expecting to go that fast; and today, I wasn’t expecting to go that fast, either. I was sick earlier this week, coughing a lot, and I had to take my mind off that and focus on this race.”

Robinson, who had been sidelined for a while last month with a back injury, posted a winning time of 23.52 Friday. Last year at the Central meet, she set a meet record of 23.07.

“It was tough taking time off last month, but I wanted to make sure I was healthy for the post-season meets,” said Robinson. “I’ve been building my strength up again; it’s definitely been a challenge, but a good one. My teammates have really been there for me, and it’s been a lot of fun to get back in, and to get back to where I was before. It was nice to get back to the 23s (second mark) today.”

The girls 200 medley relay team of Haas, senior Naomi Furman, junior Jena Nowoswiat and Ayala Miller finished a close second (1:47.95). Furman and Nowoswiat finished 4-5 in the 200 IM, and Nowoswiat placed third in the 100 fly (56.80), with Maddie Fox fourth.

“Jena had a great time in the 100 fly, and (sophomore) Hadar Miller, who has been injured, did a great job in the 200 IM,” said Kirkby.

Miller, who finished eighth, shaved more than five seconds off her seed time in the 200 IM Friday.

On Wednesday, Conestoga sophomore Avery Hillier easily won the Central League diving championship, amassing 474.55 points, well ahead of the second-place finisher, Ridley senior Kacey Lenz (389.60).

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