St. Francis seeks 40th title
2/17/2005The St. Francis swimming and diving program is seeking a remarkable achievement at the district meet tomorrow.
The Knights look to capture their 40th consecutive district title at the Bowling Green State University Student Recreation Center.
"The team looks strong," said St. Francis coach Keith Kennedy. "Things are coming together. Everyone's coming along real nicely."
The district boys and girls swimming and diving meets begin today and continue through Saturday.
The Division I girls meet takes place today, the Division I boys compete tomorrow and the female swimmers and divers in Division II battle on Saturday.
St. Francis senior Mike Carroll comes into the district meet having won the 200 IM and 400 butterfly at the sectional meet.
Fellow senior Levi Launder won the 50 freestyle and sophomore Scott Friderichs took first in the 500 free. St. Francis also has contenders in the 200 free (Colin Murtagh) and 100 breaststroke (Dylan Launder).
The Knights won the 200 free and 200 medley relays as well as the 400 free relay. Diver Tony Reidal took second at the district last year.
"We're working hard and we're dropping our times," Kennedy said. "It should be an exciting meet on Friday."
Here is a brief glance at who excelled last weekend:
Notre Dame had two swimmers who won multiple events. Nikki Schnell-McCoy (200 freestyle and 100 backstroke) and Kylie Bombrys (500 free and 100 butterfly) captured titles and were members of the Eagles' first-place 400-free and 200-medley relay teams.
On the boys' side, Toledo Christian's Jacob Bush won the 100 back and 100 freestyle. David Colturi of St. John's took the diving title by 60.85 points.
Also in D-I, Fremont Ross' Jacque Fate captured titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Anthony Wayne's Lizzie Harr grabbed two titles at the D-I site at Ayersville. Harr won the 50 and 100 free events. Katie Womack of Bowling Green won the 200 and 500 free. The Bobcats' Samantha Donaldson finished first in the 100 backstroke and 200 IM.
BG's Ryan Wichman swam away with championships in the 200 and 500 free. AW's Jason Silva took the 100 breast and 200 IM events.
Maumee had multiple winners in Division II as Shelby Gordon (50 and 100 free) and Kendall Karchner (100 back and 200 free) took home titles.
Monica Bressler won two events for Sandusky Perkins along with teammates Kara Baker and Jessica Wohl. Perkins also won the three relay titles.
And on the boys' side, Perkins' Adam Wohl won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.
In D-II, Lee Gerschutz of Ottawa-Glandorf won the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Napoleon's Nick Saul won the 200 and 500 free, and the Wildcats' Allison Zuch also won the 200 and 500 free.
For the boys in Division I, the top four divers, two individuals and two relay teams in each event plus 11 at-large individuals and relay teams in each event from all of the districts statewide qualify for the state tournaments next weekend in Canton.
Those who will qualify for state in the girls in Division I are the top three divers and top individual and top relay team in each event, plus 11 at-large individual and relay swimmers in each event from every district across the state.
In Division II, the top six divers and four individuals/relays in each event qualify for state along with 11 at-large individuals and relays from all of the districts.
Contact Mark Monroe at:
mmonroe@theblade.com
or 419-724-6110.