BUFFALO, NY - The Jamestown Community College (JCC) men's and women's swimming and diving teams started off the Region 3 championships at Erie Community College on a high note with the defending champion ladies leading their side, and the men in second overall.

"It was a tremendous first day for the guys and gals. It was nice to start the meet with a program record (Zach Johnson), which helped build the momentum. Overall, I think we are where we need to be after day one," said Todd Conklin.

JCC's two brightest stars were Zach Johnson on the men's side and Anna Jones for the women. Johnson set a new Jayhawks' program record and Region 3 championship meet record with a 28.26 time in the 50 breast. Jones set a new program record in the 1,000 free, clocking a 12:28:81. Those two were part of a team that saw every member who swam reach a new personal best.

"We go for personal best, and everyone hit one today. That shows our training is where it needs to be. Hopefully we can continue that and see even more of those as the meet continues into the weekend," mentioned a proud Conklin. 

Finishing out the male results: Kyle Dean came home first in the 50 free with a 21.66. Also in the 50 free, Cameron Milewski was third, touching just behind his teammate with a 23.04. Noah Miles earned a fourth in the 1,000 free. In the relays, the 800 free team of Christian Merrill, Noah Miles, Kyle Camp, and Randall Hall claimed second to help the JCC men have that second-place standing.

Flipping to the ladies, Desiree Putt took first in the 200 individual medley (IM), dropping her qualifying time by over six seconds. Also in the 200 IM, Jalyn Linton swam the fourth fastest time. Haleigha Hardy notched a third-place time in the 50 breast, and Addison Lawson captured third in the 1,000 free. Staying in the 1,000 free, Sophia Gervasio took fourth. In the 50 free, Emily Swan earned a third. Lastly, the 800 free relay team of Gervasio, Hardy, Jalyn Linton, and Lawson climbed to the top spot of the podium.

"Tomorrow (Saturday) is the biggest day of the weekend, being that it is two sessions. Half of the events are swum tomorrow, so we really need to take this momentum and put ourselves in a great situation for Sunday," added Conklin.

The events start back up back at Erie Community College's Burt Flickinger Athletic Center with session two at 10:00 AM Saturday. That will be our first chance to see Ashlynn Swan and Milewski take to the diving well. 

There is also a Saturday evening session and a Sunday morning session to close out the championship meet.