When Chardon and Kenston competed Jan. 8 in the WRC Swimming Championships at the Spire Institute, both schools had success, with many Geauga County swimmers placing within the top three in their events.
Swim meet photos click here.
When Chardon and Kenston competed Jan. 8 in the WRC Swimming Championships at the Spire Institute, both schools had success, with many Geauga County swimmers placing within the top three in their events.
In fact, the Chardon girls team won the WRC championship, while the Chardon boys team finished second behind Mayfield.
“The WRC conference meet went really well,” Chardon Head Swimming Coach Matt Parrish said. “Our girls pulled together an unbelievable meet.
“It was really exciting to see the seniors go out with their fourth consecutive conference title.”
Leading the Chardon girls team were senior Gracie Duchon and sophomore Lizzy Rockenberger.
Duchon won the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard freestyle, and was also part of the first place 200-yard medley relay.
“We had some amazing swims by Gracie Duchon and Lizzy Rockenberger,” Parrish said. “Gracie Duchon is a senior; she won [the WRC 200 IM] all four years. This year she is typically a butterflier as well. This year we needed her in the 100 freestyle. She went and won that event as well.”
Rockenberger won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke, and was also part of the first place 200-yard medley relay.
Chardon Assistant Swimming Coach Dr. Rebecca Schneider noted that the coaching staff mentally prepared the girls for the conference championships by directing their focus on doing their best.
“We told the kids going in: go out and do your best, and good things will happen,” she said.
Schneider also noted the success of the Chardon boys team.
The 400-yard freestyle relay team of junior Nathan Bender, junior Jake Schneider, freshman Danny Greene and senior Levi Rogers took first place and set a new conference record with a time of 3:26.63.
Leading the way for the Chardon boys were junior Nathan Bender and senior Levi Rogers.
Bender had an excellent WRC championship as he won the 200-yard IM and the 500-yard freestyle, and was also part of the first place 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.
Rogers also had a great WRC championship as he won the 50-yard freestyle and was also part of the first place 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.
The Kenston girls relay team of junior Cayla DiBernardo, junior Molly Bocheneck, freshman Hannah Cooper and junior Lauren Jaroch took first place in the 200-yard freestyle event.
The value of participating in the conference championship with fellow swimmers and friends from throughout Northeast Ohio was emphasized by Chardon girls in post-match comments.
“This is my favorite meet of the year because we always focus on the team aspect and cheering for everybody, no matter what team you’re on,” Duchon said. “No matter what place anybody gets, we always cheer them on, and everybody’s got a smile on their face.”
Coach Parrish added, “We got tons of friends and tons of people throughout all these teams … that we are all friends with, so it is really fun to watch not just Chardon swim well, but everybody.”
The Chardon swim team competes next in a non-conference matchup Jan. 21 against Strongsville. The Kenston boys compete Jan. 18 against University School, while the Kenston girls face Hathaway Brown the same day.
