Fredonia celebrates Senior Night with win over Olean 100-86
One last lap at home
The Fredonia Lady ‘Billies swim team took down the Olean Lady Huskies by a score of 100-86 in their final home meet of the season crowning them CCAA Division 1 Champions for the season.
The actual action of the meet in Fredonia on Tuesday night, however, took a backseat to the moment, as the Lady Billies will see seven seniors leave their team. For head coach Joanne Lotter, this particular class of seniors means a little more to her.
“Most of them have been with the program for six years. This is my first six years back after taking a gap, so these girls mean a lot to me,” Lotter said.
The seven seniors — Amri Bauza, Brooke D’Agostino, Julia Fortna, Jenna Sherlock, Lillee Gould, Gabby Aldrich, and Jane Fortna — were the first group Lotter saw from their first year to their last after making her return to coaching following a 10 year gap. As someone who watched this group of girls grow up, Lotter knows they’re a pretty special bunch.
“They’re loyal, dedicated, friendly, and outgoing. They’re also very inclusive. The team has never had this tight nit of a feel. It really means a lot,” Lotter said.
As is normally the case when seniors graduate, the coaches will usually try and keep in touch with their old students. Lotter is no different in that regard.
“It’s been amazing to see them mature as young ladies,” Lotter said. “They all have a wonderful future ahead of them and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch with them.”
With such a high turnover at the top end, there’s always a concern about how the program will recover. While Lotter is concerned about the gap the girls will leave, she knows their imprint will transcend their time with the program.
“They’ll definitely be missed,” Lotter said. “But they have created quite a legacy that the underclassmen want to continue, so we’re going to do our best.”
And a few of the seniors made their final race at home memorable, as Lillee Gould was part of the Medley Relay team that took first in the event, joined by Amelia Harper, Abby Roth, and Tori Spacc. Jenna Sherlock was victorious in both the 200 IM and the 100 Breaststroke, while also being a part of the 400 Freestyle team that won that event, joined by fellow senior Julia Fortna, while Spacc and Harper rounded out the team.
For the remaining events, Spacc won both the 100 Fly and 200 Freestyle, and Elizabeth Pucci-Schaeffer won her diving event, continuing her excellent stretch on the season as a seventh grader.
Fredonia’s final meet this season will be on Thursday against Allegany-Limestone.