News Summary

Isak Brkanovic has made history by becoming the first boy from Guilderland to win a state championship title in swimming. His remarkable achievements include a new record in the 50-yard freestyle and a second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle. Under the guidance of Coach Bill Asay, who was named Coach of the Year, the Guilderland/Voorheesville team has excelled this season, showcasing the talent and dedication of its swimmers. This season has highlighted exceptional performances from Guilderland and neighboring teams, setting the stage for a promising future in competitive swimming.

Guilderland Swimmer Makes History

In an exciting turn of events for the community of Guilderland, high school swimmer Isak Brkanovic has made waves by becoming the first-ever boy from Guilderland to secure a state championship title. Talk about making history! This remarkable achievement has not only put him in the spotlight but has also earned him the prestigious title of Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 Times Union all-star team for boys’ swimming.

Record-Breaking Performances

Competing under the merged Guilderland/Voorheesville program, Brkanovic has been on a hot streak this season. His standout performance came in the 50-yard freestyle, where he set a new Section II record with an incredible time of 20.52 seconds. This astonishing feat not only won him the event but also dethroned the previous record set by Niskayuna’s Mike DeRocco back in 2006. What’s even more impressive? Brkanovic’s time was more than a second faster than any other swimmer in the area!

But wait, there’s more! He didn’t stop there. In the 100-yard freestyle, Brkanovic finished in a thrilling dead heat for second place at the state meet, clocking in at 45.38 seconds. That time was oh-so-close to the Section II record, with only a tenth of a second separating him from the prestigious mark.

In addition to these breathtaking races, he dominated the 100-yard breaststroke as well, securing victory with a leading time of 58.57 seconds. Clearly, Brkanovic’s dedication and hard work have paid off big time this season!

A Coach to Remember

While Isak’s achievements are boldly shining in the spotlight, let’s take a moment to acknowledge Bill Asay, who has been named Coach of the Year for his incredible support and guidance. Under his leadership, the Saratoga Springs team reached new heights by finishing third at the Section II Division 1 championships. Asay’s crew scored a whopping five first-place finishes and three second-place finishes at the event, marking their position as one of the top teams in the region.

At the NYSPHSAA championships, Asay’s swimmers pulled in the best points haul among all Section II competitors, highlighting the strength and depth of his team’s talent.

Noteworthy Competitors

Guilderland isn’t the only school making headlines. Other local stars were in action as well. A Hoosic Valley junior swam to a remarkable seventh place in the 200-yard freestyle at the state championships, outpacing all other Section II swimmers this season by a staggering 1.3 seconds. In an even more thrilling triumph, another Hoosic Valley swimmer clinched their school’s first-ever state championship with a blistering 100-yard butterfly time of 48.04 seconds. They shattered the Section II record by over a second—what a performance!

In other state highlights, a talented Saratoga Springs sophomore named Baird took seventh in the 500-yard freestyle, clocking in with the fastest time in Section II this winter at 4:38.70. He also had a heart-pounding fourth-place finish in the 200 individual medley against CBA/Troy/Columbia’s Quinn Nelson.

Back to the relay teams, the Saratoga Springs 200 medley relay team secured a seventh-place finish at state. Meanwhile, Shenendehowa’s all-senior 200 freestyle relay team notched up the year’s fastest time at the Section II Division 1 championships, proving their competitive edge.

Final Thoughts

With so many impressive performances and accomplishments this season, the swimming scene in Guilderland and surrounding areas is lighting up like a beacon. Brkanovic’s record-breaking feats and Asay’s coaching accolades are just the tip of the iceberg for a community brimming with talent. Whether on individual or team levels, there’s clearly plenty to cheer about as we look ahead to more exciting competitions in the future!

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