Brewster Swimmers Head to State Meet

BREWSTER—Members of the Brewster High swim team turned in an impressive performance at the Section 1 championships, held last week at the Felix Festa Middle School in West Nyack. Brewster finished third with 184.50 points, behind Ursuline (262) and Rye/ Blind Brook (189). Ali Polhill took firsts in the 100 fly (55.75) and also won the 100 backstroke (56.94, team record). Kristi Edleson was second in the 200 free (1:55.43), and was also second in the 500 freestyle (5:04.32), and Alexis Valedon took a fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.45), and was also ninth in the 200 IM (2:10.42, team record). Brewster’s 200 medley relay team of Edleson, Polhill, Valedon and Monsees took first place in 1:49.19, a team and section record, and the same team also won the 400 free in 3:46.00, also a team and section record. Brewster’s Victoria Arturi took an eighth-place in diving with 307 points. Edleson, Polhill, Valedon and Monsees all qualified for the state championship meet, which will be held in Rochester November 20-21. Bears coach Brittany Hunter said the Bears looked solid. “They were all impressive,” she said. “Victoria was phenomenal, to finish in the top eight in the section was great for her. Ali broke two relay records, and was also very impressive.” Hunter added that the relay times came as a surprise. “I was shocked,” the coach said. “I knew they were fast, but they were not rested, and they turned in the best performance in the section and state so far this season. Edleson did very well in two events, and she’s looking for a state title. She and Ali both have a good shot at winning at states.”
Brewster’s winning relay team, clockwise from top left: Courtney Monsees, Alexis Valedon, Ali Polhill, Kristi Edleson PAT TARTAGLIA