Geauga County athletes opened their swimming and diving season this week showing much potential for 2022-23.
Swim meet photos click here.
Geauga County athletes opened their swimming and diving season this week showing much potential for 2022-23.
The Kenston Bombers kicked things off Dec. 2 against the Mayfield Wildcats, where the boys were outscored 107-49 and girls were outscored 107-78 by extremely talented Wildcats swimmers.
Although the Bombers started off against a very tough opponent, Head Coach Edwin Fladger was very optimistic and excited about how they performed.
“Tonight’s meet, I think we were really successful,” Coach Fladger said. “We had a couple of PRs: Lauren Jaroch dropped some time in her 100 free, and we had Luke Schmidt, who, in his 100 fly, went 56.
“So, overall, I think the swimmers did really well. Coming in first meet after taking a few months off at the beginning of the school year, these guys (have) worked really hard.”
Kenston’s Schmidt and Hannah Cooper were also proud of their team’s effort and commented on its high level of cohesion, as well as their excitement for the season ahead.
“Today I swam the 50 free and the 100 fly,” said Schmidt. “In my 50 free, I was close to PR’ing, which was really good for me. I got second in the heat. And then in my 100 fly, I PR’ed, setting a record by a second, and I won the heat, which was really great.”
“I am really excited about this swim season. We got a great team this year.”
Added Hannah Cooper, “I think I did pretty well, all things considered. And like Luke said, our team is super close. I had all the support I needed from everyone: my coaches, my friends, and my mom especially, and I am really excited for the season.”
The next day, Dec. 3, Chardon hosted the Hilltopper Invitational at the Spire Institute.
Of 25 boys teams competing, the Hilltoppers finished third, the Bombers finished eighth, and the Lions finished 11th.
Of 22 girls teams competing, the Hilltoppers finished fourth, the Bombers finished sixth, and the Lions finished 15th.
Individually, standout performances for Geauga boys were turned in by Nathan Bender and Tobias Rogers from Chardon and Luke Schmidt from Kenston.
Excellent performances by Geauga girls included times turned in by Chardon freshmen Briella Hewitt and Janet Rockenberger.
The Hilltopper senior, Bender, won the 100 and 200 freestyles with times of 50.23 and 146.50, respectively. He also finished second in the 100 individual medley (57.50).
Tobias Rogers from Chardon won the 50 backstroke (26.35) and finished second in the 100 backstroke (57.54).
Schmidt, a sophomore, finished second in the 50 butterfly (24.96), third in the 50 freestyle (23.81), and third in the 100 butterfly (55.62) for Kenston.
Stellar performances in the relays were seen by the Hilltopper boys 200 freestyle relay team of Bender, Danny Greene, Rogers and Jake Schneider, who finished first (1:35.87).
Chardon’s Hewitt finished first in the 50 breaststroke (32.07), second in the 100 individual medley (1:03.52), and third in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.73).
Also, Chardon’s Rockenberger finished second in the 50 breaststroke (32.23) and third in the 100 individual medley (1:04.00).
The Bombers swim team returns to action Dec. 21, while the Hilltoppers swim team would next compete Dec. 5 at Mentor. The Lions swim team competes Dec. 10 at Braden High School.
