44°
RYE, N.Y. In a span of about 20 minutes Wednesday, Megan Gallagher of Ardsley Country Club won an individual title, then joined relay teammates Katie Gardner, Mollie Smith and Marissa Thompson in a record-setting performance.
Gallagher won the girls 17-and-under 100-yard freestyle, and then with Gardner, Smith and Thompson was victorious in the 200-yard medley relay, setting a record at the 87th annual Westchester County Swimming Association Counties Championships at the pool at Playland Amusement Park.
The medley relay team covered the 200 yards in 2 minutes 1.08 seconds, eclipsing the former standard of 2:01.48, set last year by the Chappaqua Swim and Dive Team.
Gallagher led off, followed by Gardner and Smith, and Thompson had the anchor leg.
We finished fifth last year, said Gallagher, 15, a junior-to-be at Irvington High School. We were really excited coming in. We were getting each other all pumped up all day. We knew we had a fair shot at winning, but we never thought of a record.
When Thompson touched the wall, the announcement was made that Ardsley had just broken the record.
When we heard that, Mollie and I started screaming as loud as we could, and then we ran to our coaches and then to Katie and Marissa and had a big group hug, Gallagher said.
Prior to the relay win, Gallagher, who was seeded second, swam the 100 freestyle in 55.30 seconds to edge top-seeded Kaitlin Doherty of Willowbrook, who went 55.41. Last year, Gallagher won the 14-and-under 100-yard freestyle.
I didnt know if I could do it, because I was the youngest and the underdog, Gallagher said. To win it was really exciting.
Gallagher said she saw Dohertys fast start and knew she would have to increase her speed. Gallagher stayed even with Doherty and nudged ahead in the final 25 yards.
I knew I couldnt hold back if I wanted to pass her, Gallagher said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Tarrytown-SleepyHollow and receive free news updates.
