Make it 23.
 
CHS Swimming won nine of 11 events to dominate the All-Catholic Championships, claiming their 23rd straight Monsignor Martin Athletic Association title.
 
Peter Peyser '25 of Williamsville and Gabe Russell-Webster '27 of Amherst each were part of three victories while Canisius won all three relays and set two pool records Sunday evening at Maryvale High School's Gary L. Brader Natatorium in Cheektowaga.
 
"It was another great year at All-Catholics – these guys really came and showed up today," said head coach Christian Balkin '18. "They have kept the tradition going proud."

Peyser was involved in both pool records, setting one with the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:28.91 with Atticus Young '28 of Buffalo, Joe Skoumpris '25 of Williamsville and Russell-Webster, which broke the 1:29.02 mark set by Clarence in 2011. Peyser's winning time of 58.50 in the 100 breaststroke topped the 59.12 of East Aurora's Charles Morris in 2018.  
 
"This year we had a special group, some great kids" said Peyser. "We have some new freshmen who are hopefully going to take those records down and make it 24 next year and so on."
 
After receiving the league championship plaque, the Crusaders sent assistant coach Aaron Flick (among others) for a celebratory splash – he got the honors this year because he, unlike Balkin, had a change of clothes with him.
 
The Crusaders' depth and talent were on display in various ways, including on the very first event.
 
The Canisius "A" team appeared to win in pool record time in the 200-yard medley relay, but was disqualified by officials for a relay violation. However, the Canisius "C" relay team of younger swimmers Thaddeus Young '28 of Buffalo, Duke Neal '28 of Youngstown, Nate Jank '27 of Williamsville and Jonathan Burroughs '26 of East Amherst touched the wall next to the Crusaders the win.
 
Canisius also swept the 100 butterfly while it took the top two spots in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke.
 
Mason Pettit '25 of Buffalo, Atticus Young '26, Jonathan Burroughs '26, Duke Neal '28 and Thaddeus Young '28 were each part of two victories.
 
CHS top three finishers:
 
200-Yard Medley Relay: 1, Canisius – 1:51.35 (Thaddeus Young, Duke Neal, Nate Jank, Jonathan Burroughs)
 
200-Yard Freestyle: 1, Atticus Young (Canisius) – 1:47.99; 3, Aiden Charland (Canisius) – 2:21.16
 
200-Yard Individual Medley: 2, Duke Neal (Canisius) – 2:06.08
 
50-Yard Freestyle: 1, Mason Pettit (Canisius) – 24.02; 2, Jonathan Burroughs (Canisius) – 24.89
 
100-Yard Butterfly: 1, Gabe Russell-Webster (Canisius) – 53.52; 2, Joe Skoumpris (Canisius) – 57.34; 3, Duke Neal (Canisius) – 58.27
 
100-Yard Freestyle: 1, Jonathan Burroughs (Canisius) – 54.51
 
500-Yard Freestyle: 2, Nate Jank (Canisius) – 5:51.47
 
200-Yard Freestyle Relay: 1, Canisius – 1:28.91 (Peter Peyser, Atticus Young, Joe Skoumpris, Gabe Russell-Webster)
 
100-Yard Backstroke: 1, Gabe Russell-Webster (Canisius) – 58.85; 2, Thaddeus Young (Canisius) – 1:03.09
 
100-Yard Breaststroke: 1, Peter Peyser (Canisius) – 58.50; 2, Atticus Young (Canisius) – 59.57
 
400-Yard Freestyle Relay: 1, Canisius – 3:42.03 (Peter Peyser, Duke Neal, Mason Pettit, Thaddeus Young); 3, Canisius B – 4:18.82 (Cormac Schaeffer, Quinn Spurlock, Aiden Charland, Nate Jank)
 
Students and families interested in CHS Swimming and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as Buffalo's "Best Catholic School" by Business First – can learn more by arranging an on-campus experience via canisiushigh.org/visit
 
This place is special. Let us show you why.
 
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