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The Akron Tiger Varsity Volleyball team has done it again! The Tigers have clinched the Niagara-Orleans League Championship for the fifth straight year following their win against Roy-Hart. The team has enjoyed an undefeated (10-0) season of league play. The team is coached by Mrs. Brenda Sundown-Jonathan. Congratulations!
Pictured Front Row: Giahna LaFromboise, Samantha Bellis, Jessee Jonathan, Hope Cummings, Elsie Logan
Back Row: Lydia Blueye, Mya Thomas, Sydney Hall, Jayni Sundown, Ella Hill, Shea Masse, Marisa Maggiore, Jamie Meyer
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AKRON CENTRAL SCHOOL
47 Bloomingdale Avenue • Akron, New York 14001Mr. Justin Gerstung, Interim Athletic Director
Mr. John Jablonski, Athletic Coordinator
(716)542-5088AKRON GIRLS SWIM WINS NIAGARA-ORLEANS TITLE;
FIRST TIME SOLELY IN 29 YEARSAKRON, NEW YORK (February 22, 2021) - The Akron High School varsity girls swim team has won the Niagara-Orleans League title solely for the first time in twenty-nine years. The Lady Tigersharks last earned the league patch in 2017-18, sharing it with Roy-Hart, but it was 1991-92 that the team earned the title alone. Six school records, half the events on the record board, have also fallen since 1991-92.
The Tigersharks have enjoyed earning their 10-0 record this season despite the unique confines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The league meets have been conducted with each team swimming from their home pool; an official is present at each location. A website was developed to allow for race times to be added and posted as meets progressed from each pool – in real time.
Seniors Rachel PeQueen, Marisa Maggiore, Logan Polkowski and Kayla Murray have served as team captains. They are led by Coach Danielle Dembrow, currently in her third year coaching the Tigersharks.
“All athletes on our team have contributed to our success this year. We still have a pretty large team, considering the large number of seniors we lost last year, providing us with depth,” said Coach Dembrow, of the team of 19 swimmers. “Winning is not just about the first and second places, but the extra points from third, fourth and fifth places – so, everyone on the team plays an important role.”
The pandemic provided some additional challenges during team practices and meets. Socially distanced in the pool or on the bleachers, athletes kept their masks on until they entered the pool and put them back on when they came out of the water. The number of athletes in the pool at any time was limited as well. While no spectators were allow at the meets, the races were streamed from the school’s YouTube channel.
“This was not a normal year due to COVID-19, but we had a team full of strong leadership and determination,” said Coach Dembrow. “This team is a team of hard workers, this team is beyond determined – and I am so proud of what they accomplished!”
Not surprisingly, no records were broken this season, likely due to the lack of in-person competitors from the opposing team in the next lane. Both PeQueen and Maggiore were part of the record-breaking 200 and 400 freestyle relays last season, just before COVID-19 closed schools. Kelly Peters of the Class of 1992 still holds six individual records that have remained unbroken since she graduated nearly twenty-nine years ago.
The MVP of the team for the 2020-2021 season is Rachel PeQueen and the most improved swimmer of the 2020-2021 season is Sarah Kidder.
The remaining team roster includes Samantha Bellis, Emma Corbett, Emma-Marie Forrestel, Megan Gates, Mayah Harris, Samantha Kern, Marisa Maggiore, Morgan Maggiore, Shea Masse, Celia Morey, Kayla Murray, Emerson Polkowski, Logan Polkowski, Juliana Rodriguez, Alexandra Roland, Kaila Szczygielski and Lauren Wagner.# # #
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The Akron CSD weight room has been upgraded to a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning Fitness Center. The upgrades will now meet the needs of competitive athletes and recreational users alike. The upgrades include a multitude of equipment items from multiple power rack systems to rowing machines.
