Licking County standouts set stage with strong sectional swims
GAMBIER — Miles Baker and his Granville boys swimming teammates have a ways to go before they expect to hit their peak, so Baker didn't anticipate any significant time drops Saturday.
He did see his times get closer to his goals, however. The sophomore was a part of two top-three finishes for the Blue Aces during the Division II sectional championships at Kenyon College.
“I haven’t been tapered and I am obviously not suited up, so I was right at my expectations,” said Baker, who took runner-up in the 200 individual medley (2:07.09) and finished fourth in the 500 freestyle (5:07.59).
“I dropped in the 500 since last week, so I was really happy with that,” Baker added. “I know I can drop more once I am rested, tapered and suited up.”
Granville saved the best for last as Baker and classmates Nolan Schneider and Drew Bergstrom joined junior Eli Winterhalter in the winning 400 free relay. Baker and Schneider rallied the Blue Aces from a slight deficit as they finished in 3:28.89, ahead of Wellington’s 3:30.18.
The Blue Aces earned automatic qualification into Friday’s district championships at Ohio University. Several at-large qualifiers will also come from the sectional in every event.
“When you have people next to you, it definitely speeds you up,” Schneider said. “You see them and you don’t want to get caught, or you know you have to catch up.”
Schneider matched Baker with a runner-up finish in the 500 free (4:55.02), and he finished third in the 200 free (1:48.46).
Licking Valley sophomore Tyler Mohler raced to third in the 100 free (50.26). He hopes to soon break the 50-second barrier for the first time.
“I think there might be (a big drop),” said Mohler, who also finished fifth in the 50 free (23.17). “My mom (coach Chi Mohler) realized my dolphin kick is what my problem is. It is not up to their level. … (Competition) certainly helps me. If I know a general area of where they are at, I can get a feel of what I’m at.”
Northridge senior Travis Allen won his heat of the 100 breaststroke (1:08.73), shooting up to a sixth-place finish. Allen recorded personal bests in both that race and his 200 free (2:02.29). He also helped classmate Caden Hewett and juniors Kurtis Thompson and Ethan Goodwin slice more than eight seconds off their 400 free relay (4:10.79).
“It’s above and beyond. My times drops today, I wasn’t expecting it,” said Allen, who shaved about three seconds off both of his individual events. “For my team to come out and swim today and do well, it’s a testament to all of the work that we’ve done over years of effort. It’s a good way to end.”
Granville should have a bevy of swimmers competing in Athens.
Schneider, Baker, Bergstrom and Winterhalter placed fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:46.05) as did Winterhalter in the 100 free (52.16). Bergstrom added a fifth in the 100 back (57.83) as the Blue Aces look to qualify athletes to state for the sixth consecutive season despite having no seniors.
“We know we have each other,” Baker said. “If one person goes slow, it’s not the end of the world. We just need to go out there and give 100 percent.”
Junior Henry White and freshmen Seth Winterhalter, Oliver Rodgers and Lucas Casebolt added an eighth-place finish in the 200 free relay (1:44.02).
“We performed pretty well as a team with a lot of big time drops,” Schneider said. “We had (Busayo Olawale) who swam with his goggles off (in the breaststroke). That was fun. We had (James Reid) drop some time, and the Casebolts dropped some time. … Maybe they don’t have that second chance like some people, and they can finish with their head held high. It’s amazing to see it.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County standouts set stage with strong OHSAA sectional swims
