By Jessica A. Dennehy and Ramona Galvin
The Williamsville East Girls Varsity swim team continues to burn their competition in the 2025-2026 season. Capping off an undefeated 11-0 season with their third consecutive ECIC Division II title and yet another Section VI Class B championship win, the Lady Flames’ dominance in the water demonstrates the depth of the team.
During the 2025 season, the Lady Flames have gone against the likes of Amherst (124–50), Cheektowaga (143–20), Williamsville North (125–58), Sacred Heart (94–76), East Aurora (116–54), Pioneer (138–30), Lake Shore (140–29), Starpoint (125–45), Clarence (77–24), and Frontier (80–14). Additionally, we’ve strangely competed against Williamsville South a total of four times, winning (130–41), then (127–41), then (130–38), and lastly (108–55). Note: if you did the math and realized that the number of schools East competed against didn’t equal 11, a variety of tri and quad meets occurred.
During the dual season, the team’s home pool at Transit Middle School has had 9 pool records broken. At ECICs, hosted at Sweet Home High School, four pool records were additionally shattered by Williamsville East. Senior Lauren Golden swam a blistering 50.91 in the 100 freestyle and a 57.09 in the 100 backstroke. The 200 free relay, consisting of Lauren Golden, Lennon Anderson, Lilly Osterstrom, and Phoebe Risch, and the 400 free relay, consisting of Lauren Golden, Sylvie Risch, Lennon Anderson, and Phoebe Risch, aided in Williamsville East’s 193-point lead over the second-place finisher, East Aurora. Williamsville East won with a total of 534 points.
At the Section VI Class B meet, the Flames brought the heat, scoring a total of 487½ points, 209½ points more than—again—second-place finisher, East Aurora. Every event had an East swimmer in the top four finishers. Multiple state and sectional qualifying times were achieved, along with many personal bests. One particularly astounding performance was freshman Sylvie Risch’s 1:08:53 in the 100 breaststroke. Her time not only earned her an individual state cut, but it also made her the only freshman on the Lady Flames’ roster to advance to states.
Beyond the times on the scoreboard, what defines the team the most is their connection as a team. From the early Saturday practices to the underwater glowstick parties, their bond extends outside the pool. Whether it’s cheering for a teammate at the end of the lane or cheering them up after a rough race, the team’s unwavering support for one another fuels their continuous success each season.
Chris Miller returned as head coach, steering the team with his characteristic leadership. Assistant Coaches Brooke Pettis and Jessica Shine brought a particular sense of community to the pool deck. With a combined knowledge of physical therapy, nutrition, and mental health, all three individuals—and Williamsville East alumni—made the pool deck a safe and supportive space. As head coach Chris Miller put it, “We are the Villains.” Although his words may sound questionable, the Lady Flames have embraced their role, using it to fuel their swims and continue their legacy of excellence.