BUFFALO, N.Y. — Twenty-one swimmers from Western New York are heading to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships this weekend. Three of the girls from the Buffalo Area Aquatic Club are ranked in the top eight of 46 swimmers in the state in the 50 freestyle. Seven other swimmers from the club also qualified.

Nardin Academy freshman Kate Stancliff is qualified in diving and will be competing in both events, which her coaches said is unprecedented.

“I think I'm really good at balancing both sports. I definitely use my study hall very wisely,” Stancliff said. “I do have a little time in between practice and school and practice where I can just study and do my homework.”

Everyone in the club is tasked with maintaining their grades, being student-athletes and excelling with BAAC. They practice six days a week.

“They put a lot of time in," said Ron Zugelder, head coach. "A lot of these girls, all fall, went to their high schools and trained with their high school teams, and then they'll come here later at night and train with us at night."

Championships kick off Friday, Nov. 22 at the Webster Aquatic Center.