Baldwinsville, F-M, and J-D girls swimming teams notch key wins across CNY
Central New York high school girls swimming saw Baldwinsville, Fayetteville-Manlius, and Jamesville-DeWitt secure important victories, with meets spanning Skaneateles, Syracuse, and DeWitt. The latest results highlight strong performances as the fall sports season heats up.
SYRACUSE, N.Y., Three of Central New York’s top high school girls swimming teams, Baldwinsville, Fayetteville-Manlius, and Jamesville-DeWitt, secured major wins this week, with meets taking place in Skaneateles, Syracuse, and DeWitt, according to Eagle News.
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On Tuesday night, Baldwinsville, the defending sectional Class A champion, remained unbeaten after topping Skaneateles/Marcellus 99-77. The meet featured many of the top individual swimmers in Central New York, with standout performances from Vivian Pilon and Landyn Bennett, who each contributed to three race wins, starting with the 200-yard medley relay, Eagle News reports.
Meanwhile, the Cicero-North Syracuse (C-NS) girls swim team, which had won its first two meets of the season, suffered its first defeat Monday night at Nottingham High School. Fayetteville-Manlius (F-M), which shares the venue with C-NS, emerged victorious with a 97-84 win, according to Eagle News.
Jamesville-DeWitt (J-D) continued its strong season, having already proven itself against tough competition. At the Sept. 26 Yeti Invitational at Webster Aquatic Center, the Red Rams won three events, including two by Leah Abrams in the 200 and 500 freestyle, and claimed the 400 freestyle relay. Thearyn Wales secured a return trip to Webster for November’s NYSPHSAA Championships with a 59.75-second finish in the 100 backstroke, per Eagle News.
What we know so far
Baldwinsville’s 99-77 win over Skaneateles/Marcellus keeps the Bees undefeated in the current season. Vivian Pilon and Landyn Bennett each contributed to three race wins, including the 200-yard medley relay, according to Eagle News.
At Nottingham High School in Syracuse, Fayetteville-Manlius handed Cicero-North Syracuse its first loss of the season with a 97-84 victory. Both teams use the Nottingham pool for their home meets, making this a key matchup for North Side and DeWitt swimmers.
Jamesville-DeWitt’s girls swim team continues to show depth and talent, winning three events at the Yeti Invitational on September 26. Leah Abrams took first in both the 200 and 500 freestyle, while Thearyn Wales’s 59.75-second 100 backstroke earned her a spot at the state championships in November, Eagle News reports.
These results come as the fall sports season is in full swing across Central New York, with high school athletics drawing crowds from Syracuse, DeWitt, Skaneateles, and neighboring towns. For more on upcoming meets and community events, check our dedicated page.
The recent string of meets not only highlights the athletic achievements of the swimmers but also reflects the importance of high school sports in the Central New York community. For many students, swimming is both a competitive outlet and a team-building experience, fostering friendships and school spirit. The meets are often well-attended by families, classmates, and local residents, who come out to support their teams and celebrate the athletes’ dedication.
As the season progresses, these victories can have significant implications for postseason seeding and qualification for larger meets. Sectional titles and state championship berths are often determined by a combination of dual meet records and invitational performances. For swimmers like Thearyn Wales, qualifying for the NYSPHSAA Championships is a major milestone and shows the hard work put in during daily practices and weekend competitions.
In addition, the shared use of facilities, such as the Nottingham High School pool by both Fayetteville-Manlius and Cicero-North Syracuse, demonstrates the collaborative nature of high school athletics in Central New York. Scheduling and coordinating meets requires cooperation between schools, coaches, and athletic departments, ensuring that all athletes have opportunities to compete and improve throughout the season.
By The Numbers
- 99-77: Baldwinsville’s team win over Skaneateles/Marcellus, per Eagle News
- 97-84: Fayetteville-Manlius’s victory over Cicero-North Syracuse at Nottingham High School, according to Eagle News
- 59.75 seconds: Thearyn Wales’s 100 backstroke time at the Yeti Invitational, earning a state championship berth, per Eagle News
- Three event wins: Jamesville-DeWitt’s total at the Sept. 26 Yeti Invitational, Eagle News reports
What to watch for next
With Baldwinsville and Jamesville-DeWitt both showing strong early-season form, all eyes will be on upcoming meets as teams prepare for sectional and state competition. The NYSPHSAA Championships in November at Webster Aquatic Center will feature top swimmers from across New York, including Thearyn Wales from J-D.
Fayetteville-Manlius’s win over C-NS sets up a competitive stretch for both teams, who share the Nottingham High School pool and will continue to face tough opponents from across Onondaga County and beyond. For more on high school sports and things to do this fall, visit our community page.
Looking ahead, the next several weeks will be crucial for teams seeking to solidify their standings. Coaches will be focusing on fine-tuning relay lineups, working on starts and turns, and ensuring that swimmers are peaking at the right time. For athletes, this period is about balancing schoolwork with the demands of daily practices and weekend meets. Many swimmers will be aiming for personal bests, sectional cuts, or state qualifying times, which can be achieved at invitationals or dual meets.
For residents in the Central New York area, these meets offer an opportunity to witness high-level competition and support local youth. The atmosphere at the pools is often energetic, with teammates cheering each other on and spectators filling the stands. Local businesses also benefit from increased activity on meet days, as families and teams gather before and after events.
As the postseason approaches, teams will be closely watching the performance of their rivals. Baldwinsville’s undefeated record will be tested as they face other strong programs, while Jamesville-DeWitt and Fayetteville-Manlius will look to build on their recent successes. The results of these meets will not only determine postseason seeding but also provide valuable experience for swimmers hoping to compete at the state level.
How the high school swimming season works
The high school swimming season in Central New York typically begins in late summer or early fall, with teams practicing daily to prepare for a slate of dual meets and invitationals. Each meet consists of a series of individual and relay events, with swimmers competing in strokes such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Points are awarded based on finishing position in each event, and the team with the highest total points wins the meet.
Throughout the season, athletes have the opportunity to qualify for sectional and state championships by meeting time standards in their individual events. Coaches play a key role in tracking swimmer progress, selecting event lineups, and providing feedback to help athletes improve. The season culminates with sectional meets, where the top swimmers from each school compete for individual and team honors. Those who achieve qualifying times at sectionals can advance to the NYSPHSAA Championships, held each November at the Webster Aquatic Center.
Where to check for updates
For the latest results and schedules for high school swimming and other fall sports across Syracuse and Central New York, visit the official school district websites and the Eagle News sports section.
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