Niskayuna and Shenendehowa relay teams win state titles

PHOTOGRAPHER: Courtesy of Sally Ward

Members of the Niskayuna boys’ swimming and diving team

Niskayuna and Shenendehowa relay teams set Section II records while winning New York State Public High School Athletic Association titles Saturday at the state swimming and diving championship meet at Nassau Aquatic Center on Long Island.

Niskayuna’s 200-yard freestyle relay group of Victor Schingo, Mark Lipkin, Scott Ward and Bryan Liu won the NYSPHSAA crown and placed second in the Federation results (all state organizations) with their 1:25.56. The foursome earned All-American consideration while breaking the Section II record (1:26.30) they set two weeks ago at the area swim championships.

Shenendehowa’s 400 freestyle relay team of Kaleb Hotaling, Alexander Fabris, James Jordan and Jackson Homan won the NYSPHSAA title and placed second in the Federation segment with their 3:08.93. The Plainsmen also earned All-American consideration while taking down the Section II mark of 3:08.97 that Shenendehowa had held since 2009.

Niskayuna placed second in the NYSPHSAA 400 free relay (3:09.16) and third in the Federation results with Schingo, Ward, Lipkin and Liu. Niskayuna had the same finishing positions in the 200 medey relay (1:35.71) with Liu, Cameron Goodspeed, Ward and Lipkin.

Shenendehowa was fourth (NYSPHSAA) and fifth (Federation) in the 200 medley relay (1:35.87) with Zack Lassetter, Hotaling, Homan and Jordan.

In the 200 individual medley, Hotaling (1:53.46) was third in both divisions, and David Walton of Queensbury (1:53.47) was fourth in both divisions.

Bryce Henkel of Albany Academy (1:41.83) was third (NYSPHSAA) and fourth (Federation) in the 200 freestyle.

In the 100 breaststroke, Hotaling (56.98) was fourth in both divisions.

In the 100 backstroke, Liu (51.97) placed fourth (NYSPHSAA) and fifth (Federation), and Walton (52.02) was fifth (NYSPHSAA) and sixth (Federation).