RaiderNet

Fulton Varsity Swimming and Diving had an amazing season with many victories against fierce competitors, decades-old records broken, and a championship win. Since 2015, the swim team has adopted the saying “We Will”, even creating a giant sign to post on the pool wall they see everyday to motivate them to achieve their goals and to never give up. With this mentality, the Fulton Varsity Swimming and Diving team had one of their best and most memorable seasons to date.

Coach Lacey highlighted all of the team's successes this year, and the list was long.

The team started their season 5-0, beating all the other teams in their league, which made them league champions. They beat their toughest rivals, including JD, CBA, and West Genesee for the first time ever in program history. They also won the HAC invitational meet against 11 other teams.

Corinne Clarke and Will Patterson qualified and competed at Sectionals, which was the first time divers had competed in Sectionals since Coach Lacey began coaching.

During the Section 3 championships, many swim records were broken.

Ean Stevenson, Mark Tallents, Nate Archer, and TJ Clayton crushed the Boys Medley Relay by two seconds.

Jenna Ruzekowicz, Rebecca Stone, Aunna Metelsky, and Courtney Pierce broke an 11-year-old Girls Medley Relay record.

Stone also broke the girls backstroke record by five seconds.

Archer got first for 100 backstroke, Tallents got first for 100 breaststroke, and Archer, Tallents, Stevenson, and Clayton got 1st for the 200 Medley Relay.

After a 27-point deficit, Fulton fought back with all they had and ended up with an amazing Section 3 win. They will get a banner to hang in the gymnasium recording the years they won their league and section. They ended their season with an 8-3 record in the SCAC Empire League.

As it was her first year coaching, Coach DeRue didn’t really know what to expect going into the season. As the season went on she said she could see why Coach Lacey was so excited about the potential of the team and thoroughly enjoyed her experiences with the team.

Stevenson said he was happy with how the season turned out because he was able to achieve his goals and broke a school record.