Even with twelve members strong, the Amsterdam girls varsity swimming team have one of the smallest teams in Section 2. But, they also have the potential to qualify most if not all of their swimmers for sectionals by the season’s end. Thursday’s meet with Glens Falls at the Lynch Literacy Academy pool had the Lady Rams on the short end of a 100-45 score, but team captain Paige Bertuch became the first to qualify, making the mark in the 100 yard breaststroke.
“We have a lot of multi-talented swimmers on this team and that always helps,” said Bertuch, who posted a 1:29.17 time in the breaststroke to qualify for sectionals. “Some started as freshman and were Sea Rams, and have seen improvement.”
Glens Falls posted a first place finish in all eleven events, but the Lady Rams came close to a win in the 400 yard freestyle relay. The team of Kelly Kilgallen, Julianna Busseno, Bertuch, and Tessa Conti provided tough competition for the Lady Indians, falling short by less than nine seconds with a time of 4:54.21 good enough for second place. A furious rally by Conti in the anchor leg saw the senior post the best split time of the group, but just short of the winning time of the Glens Falls group in lane six at 4:45.63.
Amsterdam also got second place finishes from the 200 yard freestyle relay team of Katie Hemsley, Kilgallen, Melody Vosburgh, and Bella Porter with a time of 2:34.32, Julianna Busseno in the 100 yard butterfly (1:26.04) and Olivia Brahler in the 100 yard backstroke (1:27.81), along with Bertuch’s time in the breaststroke.
“They all seem to be pretty good about what events they’re competing in,” Amsterdam coach Nancy Spagnola said. “We’re also looking to improve our record. There are some powerhouse teams in this league.”
“They swim where we need them,” added coach Marisha Gennett.
Bertuch picked up a third place in the 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2:56.22. Bella Porter also earned a third place in the 500 yard freestyle posting a time of 8:07.45, Brahler took third in the 100 yard butterfly (1:39.40), and Kilgallen was third in the 100 yard freestyle (1:11.25).
Finishing fourth for the Lady Rams were Conti in the 200 yard freestyle (2:39.16), Kilgallen in the 50 yard freestyle (31.65), and Melody Vosburgh in the 100 yard freestyle (1:29.62). Posting fifth place finishes were Busseno in 200 freestyle (2:45.07), Conti in the 50 freestyle (32.55), and Hemsley in the 100 freestyle (1:42.64).
“We have a lot of multi-event swimmers,” Bertuch said. “There’s a lot of versatility on this team.”
The Lady Rams return to the Lynch pool on Tuesday when they take on Queensbury. Start time for the meet in scheduled for 4:30pm.
