This story was submitted by Chris Marquart, PIO, Phelps-Clifton Springs School District:
Midlakes Varsity Swim and Dive teams welcomed over 100 fans and supporters to the first Alumni Swim Event on December 27.
The highlight of the morning was the unveiling of the Wall of Champions, a series of plaques recognizing former Section V Champions and swimmers who qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association State Championship Swim Meet.
In all, nearly 60 alumni were in attendance, with the information spreading like wildfire among former swimmers who represented Midlakes under Aquatics Director Jack Hauber and fellow swim coach Tom Mitchell.
Of the returning graduates, 50 alumni swimmers were in the pool, participating in a racing card that included the 200-meter individual medley relay, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 200m free relay. Diving contestants were also showcased, completing three dives. Current Midlakes swim and dive roster team members were swimming in the timed exhibition races.
Notably, Katie Baldwin (Class of 2010) and 2022 Midlakes Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, dashed to a winning time in the 50 freestyle during the exhibition; she stopped the clocks in exactly the same time as her efforts in 2009 (25.20 seconds), when she raced in the NYSPHAA State Qualifier Meet. That time was also only a tenth of a second off her school record of 25.10 seconds, which has stood for a decade and a half.
Jack Hauber shared remarks to open the Alumni Day, recapping the extensive upgrades completed at the pool over the last year, in addition to celebrating the multiple record-setting performances and stars that have graduated from the program as Midlakes students.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Midlakes Swim and Dive Program. Permanent plaques are on order and will arrive in the coming weeks. Future plans varied in terms of the next alumni event; planning efforts were extensive, and response was notable, given nearly all the promotion was tied to word-of-mouth shares. Potential timelines included next year and, alternatively, five years down the road.
Sectional Champions
2008 – Greg Marks, 100-meter Breaststroke (1:02.69), Class B
2009 – Greg Marks, 100m Breaststroke (1:00.34), Class B
2009 – Katie Baldwin, 50m Freestyle (25.10), Class C
2022 – 200m Free Relay (Jackson Laird, Teddy Altman, Ethan Brodman, Evan Raes; 1:34.12), Class C
2022 – 400m Free Relay (Jackson Laird, Teddy Altman, Ethan Brodman, Evan Raes; 3:30.5), Class C
State Qualifiers
2008 – Greg Marks, 100-meter Breaststroke (1:04.35)
2009 – Tristen Ester, 1m Diving (439.10 points)
2009 – Greg Marks, 100m Breaststroke (1:01.33)
2009 – Katie Baldwin, 50m Freestyle (25.20)
2021 – Andrew Schoenfelder, 50m Freestyle (22.10)
2025 – Ethan Brodman, 50m Freestyle (22.21)
2025 – Ethan Brodman, 100m Freestyle (49.10)
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