THE SPORTS REPORTS: CORNING'S McNUTT HEADLINES ALL-REGION BOYS SWIM TEAM; WAVERLY RELAY, ATHENS FRESHMAN ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2022-03-30)

The Sports Reports
Corning Senior Ryan McNutt was a state champion, and two time state medalist breaking records throughout the season. He headlines The Sports Reports’ 2021-22 boys’ All-Region team as ‘Swimmer of the Year.”

McNutt was dominant this season, breaking school records nearly every meet. The Hawks senior, who is committed to compete at Penn State, has  pool records in most of the pools across Section 4.

He ended his high school career in style, winning the state title in the 100 free with a time of 45.58. Not only was it a state title, but it was also a Federation title as the best time of any swimmer, public school or catholic school, in the state of New York.

McNutt also had a third-place finish in public school in the 200 free to give him two top three finishes at states.

Horseheads’ Aaron Verkleeren was a state qualifier and sectional champion for the Hawks and he is the “Diver of the Year.”

Verkleeren was the most consistent diver in the STAC Conference, a league that had three state qualifiers this season.

The Waverly 200 free relay finished second at the state meet and they were the “Relay of the Year.”

Waverly’s Jerrell Sackett teamed with Wheeler, Williams, and Clark to win the silver medal — the best finish at States ever for the Wolverines — in the 200-yard freestyle relay, clocking in at 1:26.83, which lowered their school and IAC record times.

Athens’ Ethan Hicks had a strong first season and he is the “Newcomer of the Year.”

Hicks was a consistent point-getter for the Wildcats for the entire season. He finished fourth in the 100-yard backstroke at the District 4 Championships, and also swam on three top-five relays — the second-place 400 free relay, third-place 200 free relay, and fifth-place 200-yard medley relay.

Horseheads coach Eric Winkky guided Horseheads to a team title at sectionals and is the “Coach of the Year.”

The Blue Raiders won the team title by nearly 200 points, scoring 513 to Ithaca’s 325. They then went to states where they had two individual state medalists and two relays medal at states. Overall, Horseheads qualified for states in all three relays and they had five individuals competing in states in events.

The Blue Raiders had one swimmer earn four state medals and another earn three state medals.

Swimmer of the Year: Ryan McNutt, Corning
Diver of the Year: Aaron Verkleeren, Horseheads:
Newcomer of the Year: Ethan Hicks, Athens
Relay of the Year: Waverly Wolverines 200 free relay
Coach of the Year: Eric Winkky, Horseheads

FIRST TEAM
Ryan McNutt, Corning: (See above).

Aaron Verkleeren, Horseheads: (See above).

Jerrell Sackett, Waverly: Sackett broke Waverly’s 50-yard freestyle record in the prelims at the State meet, swimming a 21.05. The next day, he swam a 21.22 to win the state bronze medal. He also won the Section IV, Class B titles in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle sprints. Sackett finished second at the 50 free at the Wolverine Invite, finishing .04 seconds behind Corning standout Ryan McNutt, who won an individual gold and bronze at the NY State meet.

Sackett teamed with Wheeler, Williams, and Clark to win the silver medal — the best finish at States ever for the  Wolverines — in the 200-yard freestyle relay, clocking in at 1:26.83, which lowered their  school and IAC record times. The same foursome won a ninth-place medal in the 400 free relay, also breaking their school and IAC records. They finished 18th in the 200-yard medley relay after setting a new school record in the prelims.

Cullin Cole, Horseheads: The junior hadn’t been to states before this season, but he finished the year with four state medals. Cole won state medals in the 50 and 100 free and also helped the Blue Raiders 200 and 400 free relay teams each earn state medals.

Keagan Winkky, Horseheads: A state qualifier in both the 200 medley relay and the 100 breaststroke. Winkky broke the school record in the
100 breaststroke.

Shoonfon Li, Horseheads: A state qualifier in the 200 IM, he also was a state medalist for the Blue Raiders as a member of the 200 and 400 free relays at states. The 400 free relay broke their own school record.

Emmett Hanson, Horseheads: The Blue Raiders senior was a state medalist in the 100 free and also helped the Blue Raiders win medals in the 200 and 400 free relays. He also made states in the 200 medley relay.

Kaden Wheeler, Waverly: Aside from swimming on three record-setting relays at States, Wheeler won the Section IV, Class B title in the 100-yard butterfly, hitting the State cut with a time of 53.41 seconds. He also finished second in the 100 fly at the rugged Wolverine Invite.

Creed Hackett, Elmira: The Express diver was the top finisher among any local diver at the state meet. He was consistently one of the top divers in Section 4 all year.

Joshua Scibek, Horseheads: The Blue Raiders senior had a strong year, sitting as one of the top three divers in the section all year, and qualifying for states.

Oscar Williams, Waverly: Aside from swimming on three record-setting relays at States, Williams won the 100-yard backstroke, and finished third in the 50-yard freestyle at the Class B Championships. He also earned a win in the 200 free at the rugged Wolverine Invite.

SECOND TEAM
Ryan Clark, Waverly: Aside from swimming on three record-setting relays at States, Williams was the runner-up in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle sprints at the Class B Championships.

Andrew Schrage, Horseheads: A state medalist in the 200 free relay at states for the Blue Raiders, Schrage was a consistent point scorer all season for the Blue Raiders. Also a state qualifier in the 200 medley relay.

Alexander Villegas, Horseheads: A state medalist in the 400 free relay, helping the team to break the school record this year. Hayne Webster, Wellsboro 5th 200 IM at districts (2:12.36) and 6th in the 100 back (1:02.29).

Jacob Rose, Elmira: Was part of a third-place 200 medley relay for Elmira. Also was part of a third-place finish in the 200 free relay. A runner-up in the 100 breaststroke. Also a runner-up in the 100 fly.

Andrew Degnan, Elmira: Was part of a third-place 200 medley relay for Elmira. Took third in the 100 free at Class A sectionals. Also was part of a third-place finish in the 200 free relay. Took fifth in the 200 free.

Aiden Spoors, Corning: Was a part of a runner-up 200 free relay for Corning at sectionals. Took fifth in the 200 free. A runner-up in the 500 free at sectionals. A third-place finisher in the 400 free relay.

Chris DeForest, Athens: Consistently one of the top point-getters for the Wildcats this season, DeForest finished second in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 butterfly at the District 4 Championships. He also swam in a pair of top-three relays. DeForest had the top time on the team in the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard freestyle events, and the 200-yard IM.

Ethan Hicks, Athens : (see above)

Adam Gault, Owego: Was a sixth-place finisher at Class B sectionals in the 100 breaststroke and he was a third-place finisher in the 200 free. He helped the Indians 400 free relay take third at sectionals.