The AMCC women's swimming and diving teams will travel to Webster, NY this week for the first AMCC-Empire Swimming and Diving Championship Meet since the covid-19 pandemic hit. The AMCC and Empire 8 conferences combined for their first joint championship in February 2020 while the 2021 championship was canceled. The event will take place at the Webster Aquatic Center with the events kicking off Wednesday evening and concluding Saturday, February 19.
Alfred State College claimed their first AMCC women's swimming & diving championship in 2020 and will be looking to defend their title this week. Pioneer junior Mikaela Snayczuk recorded the top time in the conference this season in the 100 breast (1:09.48), along with top-two times in the 200 breast (2:37.39) and the 200 individual medley (2:18.75). Freshman Alyssa James earned four top-two tiimes on the season, including the 50 back (29.45), the 100 back (1:03.09), the 200 back (2:15.93), and the 1000 free (11:57.27). Freshman Mackenzie Gillette's 2:33.18 in the 200 fly was tops in the conference this season.
Penn State Behrend, 11-time AMCC champions, finished as the runners-up in 2020. Senior Marcella Puglia sits at the top of conference times in five different races, including the 200 free (1:58.67), the 500 free (5:20.62), the 1000 free (11:30.74), the 1650 free (18:34.03), and the 50 breast (35.56). Sophomore Emma Webster ranks at the top of the AMCC in the 50 back (29.10), the 100 back (1:00.53), and the 200 back (2:11.12). Senior Barbie Cessar has recorded the top times in the 200 breast (2:31.95) and the 200 individual medley (2:17.17).
Penn State Altoona boasts 2020 AMCC Newcomer & Swimmer of the Year in junior Grace Dangelo. Dangelo has recorded top times in the 50 fly (28.04) and the 100 fly (1:03.26), while also finishing in the top three in the 100 back (1:04.03), the 200 back (2:18.40), and the 200 individual medley (2:21.29). Junior Avery Heisey ranks first in the conference in the 50 free (25.09) and the 100 free (54.08) and sits third in the 50 fly (29.96).
Bolstered by early season additions, the Pitt-Bradford women's swim team has been able to pick up multiple dual meet victories for the first time in over three seasons. They have been led by freshman Bailey Fedak who has seen success in the freestyle sprint events. She has consistently been the high finisher for the Panthers and swims the anchor leg in one of the relays.
Wells College enters the championship meet for the first time as an affiliate member of the AMCC in swimming and diving. Sophomore Rowan Mayette ranks in the top ten in three categories, including the 1000 free (6th, 12:59.13), the 50 back (9th, 34.65), and the 50 fly (31.58). Junior Hailey Onofre is tops in the 100 individual medley (1:17.33), while also ranking in the top ten in the 50 breast (4th, 39.16) and the 200 breast (7th, 3:13.04).
In conjunction, the five AMCC institutions will join forces with Empire 8 Conference programs Alfred University, Hartwick College, Nazareth College and Utica College for the second Allegheny Empire Championships. At the conclusion of the meet, an Allegheny Empire Women's and Men's Champion will be crowned as well as a Male and Female Swimmer and Diver of the Meet. The top three finishers in each event will also be recognized. Nazareth won the inaugural championship in 2020.
Click here for the Championship Homepage.
Click here for the Empire 8 Championship Preview.