BUFFALO — It was a familiar feeling for the Jamestown Community College swimming and diving teams in their first meet of the 2024-25 season, as the defending national championship women’s team won the Western New York Athletic Conference meet held at Erie CC, while the men brought home a second-place finish.

“For our first meet, with a brand-new team, it was really good results. A lot of national qualifying times already, which is a good sign. This team has nowhere to go but up. Next, we will do some longer events that will show where our training is at this point,” said head coach Todd Conklin.

In the pool, the women stacked up several top-five finishes.

Out of the gates, Addison Lawson (Frewsburg/Frewsburg Central School) and Sophia Gervasio (Ripley /Chautauqua Lake Central School) captured first and second in the 1,000-yard freestyle.

Next up was the 200 freestyle, where it was all Jayhawks again. Desiree Putt (Bemus Point/ Maple Grove Central School) claimed first, followed by All-American Anna Jones (Jamestown/Southwestern Central School) second, and Haleigha Hardy (South Dayton/ Pine Valley Central School) fifth. Putt and Jones were over seven seconds ahead of third.

The 50 freestyle saw Emily Swan (Frewsburg/ Frewsburg Central School) earn second and Gervasio fourth.

In the 50 butterfly, Jones brought home a second, with Linton just behind her in third.

Emily Swan, Jones, and Hardy took second, fourth, and fifth respectively in the 100-yard freestyle.

Then it was another one-two finish for Jamestown CC in the 50 backstroke as Putt earned the top spot, followed by Emily Swan.

In the 500 freestyle, Lawson came in first and Gervasio third. Lawson’s victory was by almost 10 seconds.

Lastly, for the ladies was the 50 breaststroke, which saw Hardy take second and Lawson third.

Putt finished second in the 200 individual medley, and Jalyn Linton (Clymer/Clymer Central School) earned third.

In the diving, returning All-American Ashlynn Swan (Jamestown/Southwestern Central School) dominated in the one-meter and three-meter, taking first in both events. She won the one-meter by more than 30 points.

“A lot of first-timers in college swim meets, and they stepped up. A lot of them are ahead of where we thought they would be. This team will have a great opportunity for another national championship,” added Conklin.

On the men’s side, Zach Johnson (Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa/King Edward VII School), Owen Slojkowski (Jamestown/Jamestown HS), and Carl Alexander (Olean/Olean HS) claimed second, third and fourth in the 200 freestyle.

Kyle Dean (Jamestown/ Jamestown HS) found himself on top of the podium in the 50 freestyle; teammate Cameron Milewski (Marine City, Michigan /Marine City High School) earned third. Dean just edged out second by a 10th of a second.

In the 200 IM, Alexander, Kyle Camp (Cheektowaga/Cleveland Hill HS) and Randall Hall (Olean/Olean HS) finished sixth seventh and eighth.

Flipping to the 50 butterfly, Slojkowski and Noah Miles (Jamestown/Jamestown HS) swam to third and fourth place.

The 100 freestyle saw Dean clock a second-place time and Milewski fourth.

It was Dean and Miles also taking second and fourth in the 50 backstroke.

Johnson and Slojkowski were back in the water for the 500 freestyle, where they earned third and fourth.

Last up, the 50 breaststroke saw Johnson stay near the lead with a second-place finish.

In diving, it was another strong showing for the Jayhawks as Milewski dove his way to the top of the podium.

“Each individual had some nice swims. Kyle Dean almost broke the 50 back record. Dean and Zach (Johnson) and all the newer kids put up some (national) qualifying times. Next week will tell us where we are and what we need to do,” Conklin said.

That next week that Coach Conklin referenced is a home WNYAC meet on Wednesday, Nov.13 at 6 p.m. inside the Jamestown CC Physical Education Complex.