HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SWIMMING & DIVING: MCKANE, CORNING BOTH HOPING FOR BIG STATE PERFORMANCES AS HAWKS SEND BIG GROUP TO STATES (2023-11-16)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
Angie McKane and Brooke Terwilliger started swimming and diving together in sixth grade, now the two will have their last weekend together, both hoping to bring home state titles at the NYSPHSAA Swimming & Diving Championships at the Webster Aquatic Center.

“It’s really surreal,” McKane said. “I still haven’t been able to grasp the idea that this practice right now is my last practice in the pool with these people I’m training with. And, Brooke, we have been swimming and diving together since sixth grade with (coach Alyssa) Helsing’s little diving camp and we did modified together, so it’s really sad to think about, but also I’m very happy we were able to spend so much time together.”

Both of the two seniors have a chance to have huge weekends. McKane, who already has three career state titles, is the top seed in both the 50 free and 100 fly, while Terwilliger is the second seed in diving.

For McKane it would be special if both were able to finish the weekend atop the podium.

“It would be absolutely insane,” McKane said. “I would be so ecstatic and happy for Brooke, and both of us. She just recently committed to a D1 school and so we have already been able to kind of share that, so it would be really surreal.”

McKane is the top seed in the 50 free in 23.08, with the next highest seed at 23.81. She is the top seed in the 100 fly in 53.69, more than a second ahead of the second seed (55.17).

“I am definitely very excited, more excited than I was in any of the previous years,” McKane said. “I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and the competition and having a team going with me too.

“I was thinking back to when I was in eighth grade and I was thinking maybe I can make finals, and now I’m seeded a second, a second and a half ahead of my competitors, it’s definitely a surreal feeling. 8th grade me would be jumping with joy.”

McKane won state and federation titles in the 50 free last year, and a state title in the 100 fly, but it wasn’t a sure thing going into this year that McKane was going to swim those two events at states again this year. However, in the end she’s back in the same two events.

“I think my backstroke wasn’t progressing the way I thought it would this season,” McKane said. “I think partially because I swam long course over the summer and there is no ceiling and no flip turns so I think my tempo and stroke rate got messed up so I am hoping this winter it will get a little better. But, I’m happy to stick with the same two events and see how I’ve improved and try and make the margin on how much I win by a little bit bigger.”

Being the top seed in both events means a lot of eyes on McKane, and that pressure usually just makes her faster.

“Usually I’m pretty good at zoning into my race and not thinking about the atmosphere around, because sometimes I think that can make me too nervous,” McKane said. “But, definitely the nerves can help because that gives me adrenaline and adrenaline makes me swim faster.”

While McKane has two straight state titles in the 100 fly, she hasn’t won a federation title in that event yet, with Catholic school swimmer Tess Howley winning the past two years. Now, McKane is hoping to get federation titles in both the 50 free and 100 fly.

“It definitely is (on her mind),” McKane said. “I never got it before because Tess always was there. This year is going to be different. It’s going to be crazy to be able to stand on the podium for both the federation and public school awards.”

Winning state and federation titles is just part of the goal this year as McKane hopes to set some records along the way this weekend.

“Honestly both the 100 fly and 50 free pool records are on my mind. I’m also not sure what the 100 free pool record is, but the Section 4 and All-American for the 100 free (as the opening leg of the 400 free relay) are on my mind and then the 100 fly state record is also kind of up there. I’m excited to see what I can do this weekend, because just in sectional prelims I was able to throw down a personal best, so I’m excited to see what taper and shaving can do for this weekend.”

Megan Deuel has the 100 fly NYSPHSAA record at 52.95, Deuel now swims at Notre Dame.

“I think the 100 fly state record is definitely my top goal right now,” McKane said.
Corning’s McKane, Kyra Gross, Kara Peters and Maria Kuksenkova are seeded 21st in the 400 free relay in 3:46.14.

“I am so proud of our relay,” McKane said. “Honestly, I was chocked when we made it. I was so happy. I was so proud of them all. They definitely worked so hard this season to make it. I’m so happy.

“On Friday, I definitely am trying to use it as partially a workout to prep for Saturday, but then Saturday night if we make it back to finals, that will definitely be a very sad moment, it will be super exciting in the moment, but after it will be crazy to me that my high school swimming career is over.”

If the relay makes it to finals it would be the final race of McKane’s high school career, and a chance to spend it with her teammates.

“I haven’t even thought about it,” McKane said. “It’s definitely going to be a sad moment. I’m super excited and I hope we make it back. To be able to share that moment with the other senior, Kara, and the other two youngers, I’m super excited.”

While this weekend wraps up her high school career, there is four more years of swimming after that as McKane will swim at Division I West Point.

“I am definitely super excited for West Point,” McKane said. “I report on June 26 for basic training, but after this I still have to train for nationals and I’m still going to swim throughout the rest of the year and probably have to start doing some running and body weight exercises this spring for basic training.”

West Point’s coaches haven’t given McKane new swim plans yet, trusting what she is doing right now.

“The head coach was able to come to one of our practices so I think he’s pretty confident how (Anthony) Furstoss is training me and all the other swimmers,” McKane said.

McKane is excited to swim at the next level.

“I am super excited,” McKane said. “I have had five years with coach Furstoss and I’m going to have four hopefully with coach Brandt (Nigro) at West Point. I think it’s going to be a really good change of pace to have new coaches and different perspective and different training style. I think it will be good for my body and I’ll get adjusted to it.”

Terwilliger is the second seed in the diving at 590.30 and teammate Cella McLaughlin is the 16th seed at 483.40.

“ I am really excited, I know it’s a busy week preparing for everything, but I’m excited to be back,” Terwilliger said.

Being seeded so high is exciting, but also sort of scary for Terwilliger.

“It does (excite her), but it also makes me a little more nervous,” Terwilliger said. “So, I didn’t know I was seeded that high, so I think there is a little added pressure, but it makes me excited to know that.”

Being at states before helps take some of the nerves away from Terwilliger. It also helps having dove at the Webster Aquatic Center for last year’s state meet.

“I know since I have already been through it and competed against some of the same girls it will feel a little better because I’ve already done it. I think it was really helpful, I did like the pool so I’m happy to be back and able to compete on the same board as last year.”

Terwilliger medaled at states last year and she’s hoping for more this year.

“I am at least trying to get top five this year, that’s my goal, I just want to do well,” Terwilliger said.

Having McLaughlin at states with her makes things even more fun for Terwilliger.

“It’s really fun,” Terwilliger said. “I think Helsing was saying this is the first time ever, or at least a very long time two Corning divers have gone to states. I think that’s very awesome and I think it’s great to have someone you practice with by your side. Especially since this is my last year so it’s nice to have someone with me.”

Terwilliger likes having a teammate at states and to be the team leader on the team helping her out.

“It’s really cool. It’s such a cool opportunity to be able to help others, especially my teammates when I can,” Terwilliger said. “I love to see them improve and get excited about diving. Knowing Cella made states it was such an exciting day. I’m really proud of what she’s done.

“She doesn’t really ask me questions, but I have given her a run down of what it’s like, what to expect. Just to calm some nerves and try and help out. I think she’s going to have fun.”

It’s a big Section IV field at states with Oweg’s Kaelyn Katchuk seeded fourth at 558.80 and Ithaca’s Jessica Swart is 23rd seed at 468.90 while Maine-Endwell’s Madison Morr is seeded 15th in 489.65.

For Terwilliger having five girls from the section at states is fun.

“I am proud of everyone,” Terwilliger said. “I know we compete against them a lot through the season so I’ve known them for a while so to see them compete at states is so exciting and to have that support at stats as well if we need it. You can talk to someone if you need to.”

Having two Section IV divers seeded top five in the state makes things even more exciting for Terwilliger.

“It’s really cool,” Terwilliger said of her and Katchuk both being seeded so high. “It is a little intimidating because I know she is an amazing diver. Watching her compete is one of my favorite things because of her tightness and form. Knowing we are both seeded so high is so cool for the both of us.”

While her high school career ends on Friday Terwilliger has four more years of diving after this.

“As of last week I have committed to the University of Toledo to dive,” Terwilliger said.

Terwilliger is excited to get a chance to compete at the next level.

“I am really excited to see what can come and I know the coaches there are really awesome,” Terwilliger said. “I’m excited to expand my knowledge of diving and learn more than I know now. Always improving.

“I am really excited, especially for the competition because I know with higher levels of competitiveness I know I can push myself more and be better than I already am.”

After medaling at states last year Terwilliger started to know diving in college may be a possibility.

“Last year I had some people talk to me about it and that’s when I started the recruiting process and reaching out to coaches, because I knew I wanted to dive in college,” Terwilliger said. “But, I didn’t know I would be able to do D1, so I’m excited.

“It’s also exciting because I know the whole recruiting process is super stressful so knowing what I’m doing in terms of driving for the future. Its like a weight lifted off my shoulders and I can enjoy the weekend.”
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IN TOP PHOTO: Corning’s Brooke Terwilliger (left) and Angie McKane. PROVIDED PHOTOS.


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