ITHACA — Karianne Yuchnitz had the best finish in the preliminaries among the local athletes at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Swimming & Diving Championships at Ithaca College on Friday.

The Panama senior placed 10th in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.96, which was better than her seed time of 24.06. Alayna Gray of Fonda-Johnstown had the top preliminary time, a 23.39. In the same event, Allie Stockwell of Jamestown was 18th in 24.20; and Natalie Fosberg of Southwestern was 22nd in 24.36. That clocking tied her with Allison Lenda of Iroquois, requiring a swim-off, which Fosberg won. Her time in that extra race was 24.50.

Alexis Trietly of Olean turned in the best time among the area swimmers in the 100 freestyle with a clocking of 53.34, which was good for 21st place; Grace Wood of Southwestern touched the wall in 53.74, which was good for 18th place; Yuchnitz was 37th in 53.87; and Stockwell was 42nd in 54.10.

Wood finished 18th in the 200 freestyle (1:54.87); Madison Kramer of Falconer was 33rd (59.58) and Fosberg was 58th in in the 100 backstroke (1:00.90); and Abi Lisciandro was 49th in diving (153.40 points).

The finals will be held today, beginning at 10:30 a.m.