St. Francis reclaims title; Notre Dame sets record

2/21/2009

St. Francis de Sales reclaimed its dominance and cruised to the Division I swimming and diving district title last night at Bowling Green State University.

The Knights, who had a remarkable string of 42 district titles snapped by St. John's Jesuit last season, defeated the Titans by 82.8 points. St. Francis had 558.33 points, followed by St. John's (475.5), Fremont Ross (213.5) and Sandusky (133) at Cooper Pool.

St. Francis senior Roman Willets defended his 200-yard freestyle title by breaking the district record with a time of 1:39.37. Willets had set the mark last season. Willets also established a new district record in the 100 free with a time of 44.91 seconds, besting the previous mark by nearly a full second.

The Knights also ruled the team events, winning the 200 medley relay (1:35.94), the 200 free relay (1:26.92) and the 400 free relay (3:12.39). Willets was a member of both the 200 medley and free teams.

St. Francis also got two titles from sophomore Rowan Williams (500 free and 100 backstroke).

St. Francis senior Alex Jessop won the 1-meter dive with a score of 429.55.

Bowling Green senior Lorin Pierson was a double winner, taking first place in the 200 IM (1:55.68) and 100 butterfly (51.41).

Findlay junior Jonathan Shaffer took home the title in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 59.66.

The top three divers and the top individual and relay team in each event qualified for the state meet next weekend at Branin Natatorium in Canton. The swimmers with the top 11 times in each event from all statewide district meets also qualify.

In the Division I girls' competition, Notre Dame took the team title with 379 points over second-place Findlay (288).

Notre Dame set a district record in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:48.76. The Eagles also won the 400 free relay (3:35.96). Notre Dame also got two individual titles from freshman Rachael Dzierzak (200 IM and 100 breast stroke).

Taylor Waggoner, a sophomore from Fremont Ross, won the 100 butterfly with a time of 59.13 seconds. Waggoner also helped the Little Giants win the 200 free relay (1:41.17).

St. Ursula junior Erika Walsh took first in the 1-meter dive with a score of 385.95.

Bowling Green senior Jamie Akenberger won the 200 freestyle (1:53.88) and the 100 backstroke (59.23).

Southview senior Leslee Winfield took home titles in the 50 free (24.24) and the 100 free (52.47).

Northview junior Laura Guinness captured the 500 free (5:09.53).

The criteria for qualifying for the DI girls state meet is the same as the DI boys.