WHEELER LEADS WAVERLY TO WIN AT SOUTHERN CAYUGA; WOLVERINES CLINCH THIRD STRAIGHT REGULAR-SEASON TITLE

By: Tim Birney | Waverly Athletics | January 28, 2020

POPLAR RIDGE, N.Y. — Unbeaten Waverly and once-beaten Southern Cayuga were even after three events, but junior Ryan Bennett and freshman Jerrell Sackett finished first and third, respectively, in the 50-yard freestyle to give the Wolverines a lead it wouldn’t relinquish on its way to a 56-38 win here Tuesday afternoon in IAC boys swimming action.

With the win, Waverly, winners of 41 straight meets, improves to 11-0 and clinches the IAC regular-season title for the third straight year.

Sophomore Kaden Wheeler was a four-timer winner for the Wolverines, while senior Mike Atanasoff and Bennett were triple-winners, and junior Collin Keefer was a double-winner.

The Chiefs won the meet-opening 200-yard medley relay, but the Wolverines finished 2-3 to keep the deficit at 6-4.

Wheeler won the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 2:01.49, and junior Dillon Madigan was third in 2:10.06 to tie the meet at 9-9, and Keefer finished second in the 200-yard IM in 2:24.24, and freshman Oscar Williams was third in 2:32.07 to keep the meet tied, at 13-13.

Bennett then won the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 23.6 seconds, and Sackett was third in 25.01 seconds to give the Wolverines an 18-16 lead.

After the break, Wheeler won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 59.24 seconds, and Madigan was third in 1:07.7 to extend the lead to 23-19, and the Wolverines gradually pulled away during the remainder of the meet.

Wheeler, Bennett, and Atanasoff teamed with Sackett to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:34.74.

Wheeler, Bennett, and Atanasoff teamed with Keefer to win the meet-closing 400-yard freestyle relay in a time of 3:50.87, and the Waverly foursome of Madigan, Williams, and seniors Brandon Clark,, and Nick Janzen finished second in a time of 3:52.16.

Atanasoff won the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 49.18 seconds, and Bennett was third in 54.61 seconds. Atanasoff was second in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:06.98.

Keefer won the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:06.74, and Sackett was third in 1:07.79.

Eighth-grader Liam Wright was second in the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:54.2, and Williams was third in 6:31.85.

Waverly will host Greene Thursday.