The Rye – Blind Brook Swim and Dive team collected their second victory in a row on Tuesday, January 13, as they defeated Lakeland-Panas-Putnam Valley 90-78. The Garnet Trojans were especially formidable in the swimming events in their third win of the year, taking down a similarly-talented league opponent on the road.
“The team had a great meet competing against a very strong team,” Head Coach Katie Konopka told MyRye.com after the victory. “Rye – Blind Brook won all three relays.”
Those team events were clutch for the Garnet Trojans, and served as the difference in a very tight meet. However, several individuals had to step up to go alongside the team relays. Most notably, Wilson Redd won two events, his two specialties – the 50M freestyle and the 100 free.
Owen Picker, Nick Stocks, and Charlie Thigpen all won one heat apiece, with Picker taking home first place in the 500 free, Stocks in the 200 individual medley, and Thigpen in the 100 butterfly. Picker and Thigpen both also secured a second-place finish in the 200 free and 100 backstroke respectively, while Stocks claimed a bronze medal in the 100 fly.
Although George Papaioannou and Liam O’Byrne did not win any events, their placements points were also key to victory. Papaioannou finished second in both the 200 IM (behind Stocks) and 100 fly (behind Thigpen, in front of Stocks). O’Byrne placed second in the 500 free (behind Picker) and third in the 200 free (behind Thigpen).
Overall, Rye – Blind Brook occupied multiple podium spots in several individual events, which was enough for the 12-point margin of victory. They improve to 3-3 on the 2026 season and will look to jump above the .500 mark for the first time all winter in their next meet against a slew of combined schools on Friday, January 16, at 4:30pm.
