Versatile Liu helps elevate Warriors

Niskayuna's Bryan Liu had a tough choice to make at this year's state swimming and diving championships.

Should he compete in two individual races and two relays or sacrifice an individual event — and a possible spot on the podium — and swim in three relays instead?

"I was nervous about it and had to decide what my priorities were," Liu said. "I decided (my top priorities) were my teammates."

Liu, the Times Union Athlete of the Year for boys' swimming and diving, chose to compete in the three relays and the Silver Warriors ended up having one of their strongest state meets in years as a result.

Liu, Cameron Goodspeed, Scott Ward and Mark Lipkin started off the meet with a second-place finish (public school division) in the 200 medley relay.

Liu, Ward, Lipkin and Victor Schingo then captured the public school 200 freestyle relay title and finished second to Shenendehowa for the public school 400 freestyle relay championship.

"Bryan has top-end speed. You plug him into any relay and it becomes a legitimate contender at the state level," said Niskayuna's first-year coach, Dan Tanski.

Niskayuna's 200 freestyle relay broke its own record, which they set two weeks earlier at sectionals.

"I couldn't be prouder of these guys," Liu said of his teammates. "I've swam with and competed against them since we began swimming as kids. It was the best possible way to close it out."

Liu entered the 2018-19 season primarily as a freestyler, but focused on improving his technique and times in the 100 backstroke, which he began competing in at the end of last season.

The hard work paid off as Liu shaved four seconds off his time and set a school record in the event. He also captured his first 100 backstroke title at sectionals to go along with his second straight 50 freestyle title...