A memorable week for the Watkins Glen boys swimming team ended with the Senecas capturing their first Interscholastic Athletic Conference championship meet title in 22 years Saturday at Elmira Free Academy's Thomas Natatorium.

The Senecas had 12 top-three finishes, including victories in two events, to easily outdistance runner-up Waverly in the six-team meet, 358 points to 237. Lansing was third with 227 points.

"It's been a long time coming," said Watkins Glen head was a member of the 1988 Senecas team that won the IAC title. "Just a lot of great swims from my kids today. They did a really good job. They've been a strong group of kids all year, encouraging each other and working with each other."

That teamwork came shining through during Watkins Glen's march to a 10-0 dual-meet record, which culminated with a 111-75 victory at Lansing on Tuesday.

It was also evident during their dominant victory Saturday in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The team of Chris Carlton, Frank Cady, Connor Fazzary and Jacq Goehner won in 1 minute, 36.72 seconds, which was nearly four seconds better than runner-up Lansing (1:40.64).

"Our 200 relay today was phenomenal," Bond said. "They swam a great time."

Watkins Glen's individual victory came from Adam Rice, who won the 100 butterfly in 1:03.1.

The Senecas dominated in 1-meter diving, with four of the top five finishers.

Watkins Glen's Kyle Cocola, who had previously qualified for the state championship meet, won with an 11-dive score of 380.25. There were separate team scores for diving and Watkins Glen won with 51 points, followed in second by Lansing with 16.

Watkins Glen has come a long way in a short time under Bond and will next set its sights on trying to win its first Section 4 Class C title in seven years. The sectional swimming titles will be decided next Saturday at Owego Free Academy, with Watkins Glen hosting the Class C prelims on Wednesday.

"We started out four years ago with this senior class. We had 14 kids when I started coaching this team and it's just grown every year," Bond said. "I guess the biggest accomplishment is seeing how the team has grown and how the kids have bought into a winning attitude.

"It isn't about the times, it is not about how good we can do individually, but how good we can do as a whole. And they really believe strongly in it. ... It doesn't matter who wins, as long as the team wins."

Waverly also had a strong meet Saturday, particularly James Rynone and Jeff Mastrantuono, who teamed with Nate Marshall and John Hallett to win the meet-opening 200 medley relay (1:45.85) and meet-ending 400 freestyle relay (3:30.1). Rynone was also victorious in the 200 individual medley (2:16.94) and the 500 freestyle (5:21.6). Mastrantuono won the 100 freestyle (50.29).

Clement Towner of Lansing won the 200 freestyle (1:51.11) and 100 backstroke (56.68). Lucas McNinch of Dryden won the 50 freestyle (23.02).