Records fall during BCC championships
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
Three Nantucket High School records fell during Saturday's Bay Colony Conference swimming and diving championships, held on Nantucket for the first time since 1997.

MICHAEL GALVIN/The Independent Nantucket senior Whitney Jennison swims in the 50 yard freestyle event during Saturday's championship meet.

Beau Garufibroke the 200-yard freestyle record of 1.55.97 set by Luther Blount in 1999 with a new best time of 1.54.81. The junior also broke his own record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1.02.92, besting his previous record-setting time of 1.04.30 set on January 20.

Garufiwas also involved in setting a new record in the 400-yard freestyle relay with Sam Toole, Will Martin and Henry Toole, as the swimmers combined for a time of 3:35.62 to edge Nauset (3:35.64) in the exciting event. The four beat the old mark of 3:35.72 set in 2001 by Josh Blount, Connor Wallace, Rob Caron and Dylan Wallace.

Nantucket, Nauset and Barnstable took part in the 13th annual BCC championship meet. With Barnstable the heavy favorite on the girls side going in, and Nauset the team to beat on the boys side, Nantucket hoped to take advantage of home pool advantage.

"It definitely helps," coach Jim Pignato said beforehand. "The biggest thing for us is the travel - we usually have to spend the night in a hotel."

The Barnstable girls prevailed, however, with a total score of 478 to Nantucket's 348. Nauset finished with 332 points.

On the boys' side, Nauset came out on top, scoring 380 points to Nantucket's 349 and Barnstable's 273.

Ainsley Ellis bettered her state tournament qualifying time in winning the 200-yard freestyle in 2:01.35. Later, Ellis teamed with Carly Jensen, Theresa Head and Ashley Martin to take the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:49.34. Martin also turned in state tournament qualifying times in the 50- yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle events.

Justine Paradis started the day by winning the diving competition with a net score of 164.35.

Alot hinges on this afternoon's dual meet at home against Nauset; if the boys win, they win the conference

title. I