CLIFTON PARK – The crescendo to the 2026 Section 2 Division I girls’ swimming sectional championships Saturday afternoon at the Shenendehowa Aquatic Center saw the team that won the overall event capture the day’s final race in style.
The Shenendehowa 400 freestyle relay team capped its victory by posting a winning time of 3 minutes, 39.17 seconds, edging out Niskayuna and Saratoga Springs. Overall, Shen tallied 427 points to easily prevail.
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“I think it was actually awesome,” Shen freshman standout Lillian Hopke said. “Last year was a rough year. Our team motto this year was ‘Set the standard.'”
Hopke led a balanced overall performance for Shen as she posted individual wins in the 200 individual medley (2:11.01) and the 100 butterfly (58.85).
The Mustangs celebrated together afterward as the team jumped into the pool after coach Alyssa DiFabio secured the team title plaque. Saratoga Springs came in second with 342 points, followed by Niskayuna in third with 309.
The same three teams finished in the top three in 2025, except the finishing order saw Saratoga Springs winning it all with Niskayuna second and Shenendehowa third.
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Easily the most compelling race of the day was the 200 free final, which featured Niskayuna senior Madison Wolfort and Saratoga Springs freshman Maeve Moynahan in an epic duel for the championship. Wolfort, named the Division I Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet, won in 1:53.88, with Moynahan second in 1:53.88.
“I knew it was close. I didn’t know if I out-touched her or not,” Wolfort said. “Maeve is amazing. I have so much respect for her. I love racing her and had so much fun doing it.”
“It is the closest you can get,” Moynahan said. “I was really happy to race Maddy. She’s a really good swimmer. She really pushed me to get that time.”
Wolfort, who also won the 100 free in 52.28, was thrilled to emerge with a victory in a 200 race that was completely up for grabs during the final lap.
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“I was so happy. I didn’t think I had her,” Wolfort said.
Moynahan rebounded nicely by producing a dominating showing in easily capturing the 500 title in a Division I record time of 5:07.47.
“I really like the 500. I was really pleased with the time I got,” said Moynahan, who finished fourth in the 500 and fifth in the 200 last year. “I am happy to be going to states this year and I got the 500 record for a freshman. I actually did better than I was expecting.”
Other winners for Saratoga Springs were junior Amelia Covey (diving, 486.25 points), sophomore Tori Lill (100 backstroke, 58.93) and sophomore Skylar Panetta (100 breaststroke, 1:08.34).
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Annie Harper, a sophomore, joined teammate Wolfort as a winner Saturday, claiming the 50 free title in 24.44 for Niskayuna.
Wolfort, who also helped the 200 free relay team finish first and swam the last leg on the 400 relay team that came in second, beamed about taking home top individual honors from the meet.
“I am so happy,” Wolfort said. “I’ve been on this team for five years and this means the world to me. I got to see my friends that already graduated get this award, so I am happy to follow in their success because they gave me so much joy.”
The Division II team title race between Queensbury and Emma Willard proved to be a colossal struggle for supremacy down to the final event. Ultimately, Queensbury slipped past Emma Willard by just five points to claim its first Division II team title since winning back-to-back crowns in 2018 and 2019. The Spartans tallied 480½ points, followed by the Jesters with 475½ points.
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The winners for Queensbury were junior diver Bailey Matte (426.75 points), junior Ella Mossing (200 free, 2:06.71) and eighth grader Aurora Ricketts (500 free, 5:36.65). The Spartans also capped their team victory by winning the 400 free relay.
Pacing a strong day in the pool for Emma Willard were junior Emma Shao and freshman Adalynn Snow, who each claimed two individual titles and helped two relay teams finish first. Shao won the 200 IM (2:05.98) and 100 backstroke (57.14), while Snow registered victories in the 50 free (25.00) and the 100 butterfly (1:01.05).
Senior Azania Osborne prevailed in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.03) and junior Arya Dheeradhada secured the win in the 100 free (58.92) for Emma Willard, plus the Jesters posted wins in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.
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This article originally published at Shenendehowa girls’ swimming bounces back to capture Section 2 Division I title.
