Young Chardon Swimmers a Highlight

January 25, 2017 by Jamie Ward

When Matt Parrish decided to start Geauga County swim meet at the SPIRE institute in Geneva, he sent out invitations to all of the boys and girls teams.

Even Hawken, located in Chesterland, and known for its dominance on a state level.

It’s no surprise the Hawks dominated most events and most heats, taking the lion’s share of first and second places. But the local teams were competitive.

Geauga County swim programs — at West Geauga, Kenston, NDCL and Chardon — continue to grow and cycle. The Wolverines are not a varsity program. Chardon just recently became one.

Parrish got his inspiration from the Ashtabula County meet.

“I grew up with a county meet when I was swimming, and it was always a fun meet,” Parrish said, standing poolside on Jan. 16.

But Parrish, who also coaches swimming in the summer and instructs at the Geauga YMCA, knows it is growing.

“Chardon itself is getting bigger and bigger,” he said. “Through the rec team, and through the Y programs, it’s always getting bigger and better.”

Chardon girls’ team finished second, behind Hawken.

“Our team is 90 percent freshmen and sophomores,” Parrish said. And he said there are a lot of middle schoolers that will be joining the team in the future.

A Hilltopper highlight was the 200-yard medley relay, which was won by Sarah Bennett, Katarina Valentic, Jayne Sopenski and Katherine Jerry.

Hawken won 16 of 24 events, with Bainon Hart a double individual winner in girls 200 IM and 500 free, and it swept the 200 free and 400 free relays.

NDCL’s Owen Hanna (200 freestyle), West Geauga’s Kami Goodrick (diving), Kenston’s Isaac Cooper (diving) and Sofija Raudins (100 breaststroke) won first-team Geauga County honors..

You can see the full results here.

You can also watch the meet by visiting www.geaugatv.org by clicking here: Videon On-demand.

All-Geauga County Team Results

Girls

1. Hawken 562

2. Chardon 480

3. Kenston 453

4. NDCL 338

5. West Geauga 221

Boys

1. Hawken 580

2. NDCL 356

3. Kenston 351

4. Chardon 324

5. West Geauga 175