Defending Champs Queens of the Pool on Seniors Night

The two-time defending champion Saline High School girls' swim and dive team celebrated its graduating class and still managed to take care of business in the pool, defeating Skyline, 126-59, to complete an undefeated SEC dual meet season.

Junior Maddy Frost led the Hornets, winning two individual events and helping two relay teams to victory. Frost won in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing in 1:57.74. She also won in the 100-yard freestyle in 53.78.  Frost also helped the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay teams to victories.

But the night belonged to Saline's seniors, who have turned Saline into a powerhouse swim and dive team.

After senior Jordan Toor captured first place in the diving event, the meet was paused as the team honored its seniors. At the entrance to the natatorium, underclassmen formed a tunnel that the seniors ran through before going to stand with their parents in front of the pool. Each of the seniors was introduced by coach Todd Brunty and given a keepsake along with a flower.

Brunty said it was going to hard to say goodbye to his senior class.

"Every year it gets harder and harder. You are going to be greatly missed," Brunty said. "I look forward to seeing how you do in your careers and growing into the great young ladies I know you are going to be."

Nikki Flynn, one of three captains, said it was an emotional night.

"We've accomplished a lot and we've made a lot of great friends. This was an important night for us," said Flynn, who won the 50-yard freestyle and helped two relay teams to victories. "Now we've got to step up and get ready for the rest of the season."

Saline's seniors are Ellie Brigger, Lauren Cavanaugh, Emy Farsakian, Rachael Firehammer, Sydney Hoffman, Kailey Kermath, Sammy Richart, Katie Saxton, Page Sieffert, Caitlin Sisken, Jordan Toor and Abbey Wrobleski.

Flynn, Richart and Toor are captains.

Saline opened the evening with a victory in the 200-yard medley relay. Kate Rogers, Richart, Sieffert and Flynn won the race in 1:51.4, edging the second place relay team, also from Saline, featuring Melanie Schroeder, Cristina Czyrka, Serena Yan and Emily Lau.

In the second event, Frost won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:57.74, edging Alex McPherson, also of Saline.

Skyline's Ashleigh Shanley won the 200-yard individual medley. She won two events for the Eagles.

Flynn won the 50-yard freestyle event, narrowly beating Rogers to the finish. Flynn finished in 24.63 to Rogers' 24.70.

Toor won the diving event with a score of 206.45. Niiki Kermath placed second with a score of 203.40. Hornet Caitlin Cunningham was third with a score of 168.65.

Rebecca Dickey captured the 100-yard butterfly for Skyline in 1:00.69.

The Hornets took the top four spots in the 100-yard freestyle. Frost paced the team, finishing in 53.78. Lau was second, with Schroeder and McPherson taking third and fourth, respectively,

Czyrka won the distance event, swimming 500 yards in 5:14.59. Rogers was second in 5:22.74.

Saline won its second relay of the night in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Frost, Lau, McPherson and Flynn finished the event in 1:39.77. Flynn was a half second behind Dickey into the pool for the final leg of the relay, but by the team they resurfaced, they were dead even. And when they re-emerged after the turn Flynn had built a solid lead and the Hornets won by nearly a full second.

Shanley won the 100-yard backstroke for the Eagles.

The Hornets went 1-2-3 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Richart won in 1:09.18, more than five seconds faster than Ariana Brown. Sophie Brightman was third.
The Hornets finished the night with Rogers, Schroeder, Czyrka and Frost winning the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:40.63.