STAC BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING: OWEGO LACKS NUMBERS, BUT IS STRONG ON TALENT (2024-12-10)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — The Owego boys swimming and diving team returns the majority of last year’s squad, including a Section IV Class B silver and bronze medalist, and the majority of two relay teams which placed in the top five.

Junior Magavin Allen excelled at the sectional meet with a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke, posting a time of 59.2 seconds, and was third in the 200 individual medley in 2:09.75.

Eric Schrader, a freshman, also had an impressive season as an 8th-grader. A varsity rookie, he placed seventh overall in the 500 freestyle, clocking a personal record of 5:39.73. He was also 12th in the 200 free with a personal best of 2:08.32.

“Junior Vincent Kneller is going to be another one to watch for fast times to pop this season,” coach Jamie Burns said. Kneller swam on the fourth-place 200 medley relay with Allen, Schrader and Jaxson Calice.

Allen, Schrader and Calice were also on the fifth-place 200 free relay.

Another junior to keep an eye on will be Javan Belokur.

“Javan Belokur had a great season last year as well, finishing off his 23-24 season with a 10th-place finish in the 500 with a personal best 5:49.6,” Burns said. “Javan will also be one to watch out for.”

A new addition to the team is senior Dalton Malmstrom.

“He will be one to watch,” said Burns. “He’s strong, fast and determined to do well.”

There will be a big void to fill, however.

“We lost Jaxson Calice, who was our 50 and 100 freestyler,” Burns said. “Jaxson has chosen to focus on other things this season. His absence is felt, but we wish him the very best.”

Owego had one other finalist at sectionals last season as Belokur, Joseph Gaurnier, Christian Monell and Kneller were eighth in the 400 free relay.

The team did not field a 400 free relay team in a 97-75 season-opening loss to Windsor last week, giving the Black Knights 12 uncontested team points in the final event of the meet.

Still, Burns likes what the team has to offer this season.

“(The) River Hawks might be a small crew, but they are strong and ready to go hard this season.”

Owego hosts Chenango Forks at 5:30 p.m. today, then competes in the Elmira Invitational Saturday.

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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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