Page 16 | All-Leader Fall-Stars | December 19, 2011
Tripling up Dickson Swimmer of the Year, for 3rd time BY BOB BENZ rbenz@the-leader.com
The sport is generically referred to as swimming. Yet, in 2011, the sport’s diving contingent enjoyed the most success. Led by Devyn Dickson, The Leader’s Athlete of the Year in swimming and diving, the 2011 All-Leader swimming team boasts of three divers. Bath’s Danielle Neu and Horseheads’ Paige Huffman also qualified for states and were first-team selections. The following is the 2011 AllLeader swimming – and diving – team, as assembled by The Leader sports staff in conjunction with area coaches.
LAUREN BARLOW Bath Haverling, So.
An accomplished sprinter who makes swimming fast seem effortless, Barlow broke her own school record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:03.80 and was also part of Bath’s 200 and 400 free relay teams that set new school records.
Barlow finished third at sectionals in the 100 backstroke and was fourth at sectionals in the 100 freestyle, where her best time was 57.06. “Lauren has a beautiful technique,” Bath coach Sheri Neu said. “She makes swimming look easy. Each stroke looks beautiful. She’s a perfectionist.”
AMANDA CARBAUGH Horseheads, Jr.
The Blue Raiders’ most experienced swimmer, Carbaugh excelled in the 100 butterfly, where she won the EFA Invitational and was named a STAC West all-star in the event. Carbaugh’s best time in the 100 butterfly was 1:00.37. She was also one of the area’s top swimmers in the 200 individual medley, where her best time was 2:14.20. Carbaugh finished second at sectionals in both the 100 fly and 200 IM. “She is driven to be her best and pushes her teammates to do the same,” Horseheads coach Mark Miles said. “She doesn’t settle for good swims – she wants nothing but great swims, but can accept failure as a learning tool. I think she is on the verge of an outstanding year.”
Year in swimming and diving. “She’s very sharp when she dives and she had nice diving lift,” Neu said. “She could do tight summer saults with good lift and her entries were gorgeous.”
MARY EDWARDS Horseheads, Fr.
Horseheads’ most versatile swimmer, Edwards proved very capable in both the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, along with the 200 individual medley. Edwards was named a STAC West all-star in the 200 individual medley, as well as the Blue Raiders’ 200 and 400 free relay teams. She won the 200 freestyle at the EFA Invitational and placed second in the 100 freestyle at the same meet. She boasted a top time of 55.42 in the 100 free and 1:59.68 in the 200 free. Edwards was Horseheads’ leading point scorer. “Mary’s work ethic is every coach’s dream,” Miles said. “I can’t think of a single time where she has complained in practice and she is constantly optimistic.”
EMILY GUGLIOTTA Bath Haverling, So.
DEVYN DICKSON Bath Haverling, Sr.
Few divers in the area entered the pool on their dives as gracefully as Dickson. Dickson closed out an outstanding career as an LCAA champion (401.054) and also qualified for states. She’ll leave Bath after setting the school’s six-dive record at 238 and 11dive record of 438.95. With a most impressive resume, Dickson was named The Leader’s 2011 Athlete of the
Gugliotta seemed to get better as the season progressed. Her performances at sectionals served as proof. Bath’s top distance swimmer, Gugliotta finished third at sectionals in the 200 freestyle (2:03.19) and smashed her own school record in the 500 freestyle with a third-place finish in 5:37.94 “Emily is ever-ready batteries,” Neu said. “She has huge desire. Every day she tries to find a new best.”