That’s right… the Friars have done it again!
2020 NY State Federation Champions!!!
(Gimme a Wooo… and shout it out like Ric Flair!)
‘Cause it’s a THREE PEAT BABY!!!
You know it’s exciting when my phone is blowing up after the meet because everyone who has ever swam as a Friar knows it’s Championship weekend and is keeping track. Most of the team and alum were tracking the meet live and knew it would be a crazy close battle of 4-5 teams.
With all the talented teams at the top of the point board, this year’s meet demanded perfection. We would again face talented swimmers from Chaminade and Fordham Prep but add the additional pressures of the public schools’ top swimmers, and any drop in places or God forbid a DQ, you’d be out. That being said, the Friars were PERFECT. Everyone hit that water with a purpose and raced with all their heart could give.
The meet opened with the 200 Medley Relay where Caleb Neugebauer, Tim Rupnarian, Owen Glaser, and Matt McManus swam their best dropping times in the preliminaries and finals and placing 23rd in the State with a 1:39.34. This opened our eyes and confirmed that it was not going to be easy making it to the podium and earning points. This message would not go unheard by our two top alternates for all the relays if called on. Trevor Griffin and distance swimmer Richie Chiarella knew how important it would be to be ready if called on.
The meet was under way and points were adding up fast. The state meet scores the top 20 finishers with relays scoring 48 to 2 points and individual swimmers points go from 24-1 point. St. Anthony’s would be representing 9 out 12 events for the day leaving some question of what the turnout would be for us not claiming any points in 3 events. Rankings did not give any one school a clear view to the top.
One event down and so many to go, one of NY top swimmers our own Sr. Billy Swartwout’s event was up next – 200 Freestyle. Swartwout is as tough as they come. Hard work, proper preparation, focus, and love for his team and teammates is his recipe for success. His 200 freestyle was incredible going out in a 47.9 and finishing 2nd in NY State with an All American Consideration time of 1:38.93! Billy put us on the board with 21 points.
Swartwout place was great, time was awesome and the points were good, but it’s early. Eleven schools were ahead of us in scoring, so it was still about the boys doing their best and hoping for times to drop. My heart was pumping, from the excitement of the day.
Event #3 – 200 Individual Medley and Sophomore Glaser’s was on the block. 1:56.47 goes into the books earning the 14th best time in 2020 for the 200 IM and 14 more points for us. He dropped time since the qualifying rounds. Champs is where all the hard work pays off. I can’t wait to see this Friar’s future!
Event #4 – Mark Owens is one of the toughest 50 freestylers the Friars have ever had…. finishes his career with a best 21.02 and 4th (19 pts) in the State! Teammate Stange would contribute to our point total swimming his fastest free 21.23 earning the 6th (17 pts) fastest time in NY.
Event #6 100 butterfly teammates Stange and Owens make it a key event for us. When Stange makes Friar history breaking the 100 fly record (yes, held by his brother Andrew) swimming under the 50 second mark with an All American Consideration 49.93 (4th -19pts)! That beaming smile of accomplishment will be memorable! Watching a new record being set and Mark Owens going from 10th to 7th place (16 pts) and swimming 50.98 are memories every coach loves.
This small army of Friars just kept making noise and getting louder at event #9 the 200 Freestyle Relay. Leading off to defend their title, Stange swam a 21.27, Owens extended the lead with a 20.94, HUGE swim for us by freshman McManus with a 21.68, and finally the anchor swim of Swartwout going a 20.44 gave the Friars the back to back victory with an All American Automatic and new school record 1:24.33!! Holy Fast!
Swartwout was back in the water for event #10 – 100 Backstroke. After all the previous success of the Friars, we all could taste the possibility of a victory. Billy was pumped seeded 3rd. He was out in a 24.6 and in third by about .5 – with one of the greatest 2nd half swims. Billy broke the school record and WON the event with a blistering All American performance of 50.27!
The celebration was incredible as we all immediately turned to Coach John and his famous point calculations. Heading into the Granddaddy of all events, the 400 free relay. We were down 3 points to the mighty Fordham Prep. Our top seeded relay knew the stakes. Win the relay – take home the Championship. Pressure was immense.
Matt McManus’ nerves had him shaking as his teammates were pumping him up. Stange having the meet of his life with a flat start lead off swim of 46.64. The sea of alum behind me are already screaming. Owens kept us within that half a second hanging with Pittford with a 46.66 of his own who flew off the block and started closing the gap – McManus with a personal best by far, 47.71. Off the block the anchor swimmers of Pittsford and Chaminade are even with Billy. But no one is beating Billy…. not today baby! With the fastest time of 44.87 Billy’s final touch of the pad gave the Friars the 3 Peat State Championship and back to back 400 Freestyle Relay Titles! The deck surrounding me exploded into pure jubilation! SA 219 points over #2 Fordham Prep 210 and #3 Chaminade 180.
I told those guys that 4 Friars need to swim as one. One team in perfect sync. They certainly did that with a new school record, 2nd fastest relay in state history and All American Automatic 3:05.88!!
How incredible is that?! Never count out the Friars!
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL! I am one proud coach this season. I could not be more grateful for the help of Coach John, Coach Ashley, Coach Garret, and Coach Kyle. You are all the BEST! Parents thank you for your endless support.
We are ONE Team…
We are ONE Family…
We are the FRIARS!!
State Champions 2020! 3-Peat baby!!!
By Head Coach Dan McBride and
Heather Occhino Scoreboard Senior Writer
