THE SPORTS REPORTS: CORNING'S McKANE REPEATS AS 'SWIMMER OF YEAR;' OWEGO'S KATCHUK ALSO EARNS TOP HONOR ON ALL-REGION TEAM (2023-03-29)

The Sports Reports
Two state titles, a state medalist in diving, Section 4 class champions as a team, and swimmers making states in their first year all helped highlight a magical year in area girls’ swimming and diving.

Angie McKane of Corning highlights this year’s team as the “Swimmer of the Year” for the All-Region girls’ swimming and diving all-star team.

What hasn’t McKane done this year, and in her career?

There is almost no pool in Section IV that doesn’t have her name atop the pool record list. In fact, at the state meet in the 100 fly, she was almost a full second under the old pool record, though the Federation champion was also below the time and is the new pool record-holder.

McKane won the 50 free federation title at States. She won her second straight 100 fly public school championship.

McKane hit the automatic All-American time in the 100 fly to become an All-American for the second straight year, and she also hit the All-American consideration time in the 50 free.

She is now a four-time state medalist, and three-time state champion over the past two years of her career. And, the junior still has another year to add to her resume.

She was a four-event state qualifier, also making states in the 200 and 400 free relays.

While McKane is the swimmer of the year, her teammate Brooke Terwilliger shares “Diver of the Year” honors with Owego sophomore Kaelyn Katchuk.

Terwilliger finished eighth in the state to earn a state medal. It’s the second straight state medal for the Hawks standout, who like McKane is a junior.

Terwilliger was the Section 4, Class A Champion before earning her state medal.

Katchuk was the Class B sectional champion with a meet record score of 507.40. Like Terwilliger, she was a state medalist, finishing 10th at the state meet.

Horseheads’ Anna Lowe was new to high school swimming this year, and she immediately made her presence felt. She is the “Newcomer of the Year.”

The sophomore joined the swim team this year and was a state qualifier in all four of her events. She made states in the 50 and 100 free and the 200 medley and 200 free relays.

Lowe was 13th at states in the 50 free and the 200 free relay.

The Blue Raiders 200 free relay finished 13th at the state meet and is the “Relay of the Year.” The foursome of Anna and Sibby Lowe, Gracie Ringer and Grace Shelhamer finished 13th in 1:40.72.

The Horseheads swimming and diving team won the division title this year, and won the title at the Section 4 Class A Championships. They had state qualifiers in two relays, two individual swimming events and a diver.

Blue Raiders coach Megan Janeski is the “Coach of the Year,” after helping to guide the Blue Raiders to that success.

The first team includes McKane, Terwilliger and Katchuk and Lowe. Waverly’s Mira Kittle, a state qualifier for the Wolverines is on the firs team with Sibby Lowe and Grace Shelhamer, who were state qualifiers for the Blue Raiders.

Allie O’Brien a sectional champion from Notre Dame is on the first team with Athens’ Taegan Williams and Corning’s Kara Peters and Carolyn Heckle.

The second team includes Horseheads’ Emma Bachert, a state qualifier in diving, Gracie Ringer, Gabby Janeski and Karina Lapierre.

Waverly’s Sophia DeSisti is on the second team with Wellsboro’s Caralyn Warner and Corning’s Maria Kuksenkova and Audra Hilker and Elmira’s McKenna Malone.

The third team includes Towanda’s Marisa Wise and Owego’s Ava Murphy. Athens’ Elizabeth Denlinger is on the their team with teammate Evelyn Panek.

Horseheads’ Anh Thu Tran is on the third team with Waverly’s Sophia Lee and Lauryn Welles. Elmira’s Gabrielle Mattoon is on the third team with Corning’s Kyra Gross and Wellsboro’s Madison Robbins and Isobel Anderegg.

SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: Angie McKane, Corning
DIVER OF THE YEAR: Brooke Terwilliger, Corning & Kaelyn Katchuk, Owego
RELAY OF THE YEAR: Horseheads 200 free relay
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Anna Lowe, Horseheads
COACH OF THE YEAR: Megan Janeski, Horseheads

FIRST TEAM
Angie McKane, Corning
Brooke Terwilliger, Corning
Anna Lowe, Horseheads
Kaelyn Katchuk, Owego
Mira Kittle, Waverly
Taegan Williams, Athens
Sibby Lowe, Horseheads
Kara Peters, Corning
Allie O’Brien, Notre Dame
Grace Shelhamer, Horseheads
Carolyn Heckle, Corning

SECOND TEAM
Emma Bechert, Horseheads
McKenna Malone, Elmira
Gracie Ringer, Horseheads
Gabby Janeski, Horseheads
Maria Kuksenkova, Corning
Audra Hilker, Corning
Karina Lapierre, Horseheads
Caralyn Warner, Wellsboro
Sophia DeSisti, Waverly

THIRD TEAM
Marisa Wise, Towanda
Elizabeth Denlinger, Athens
Anh Thu Tran, Horseheads
Taylar Fisher, Athens
Sophia Lee, Waverly
Lauryn Welles, Waverly
Gabrielle Mattoon, Elmira
Kyra Gross, Corning
Madison Robbins, Wellsboro