Oklahoma high school swimming: Carl Albert boys, Shawnee girls win at Class 5A state meet
JENKS — Ben Sutterfield’s emotions were getting to him following the Class 5A state swim meet.
The senior doesn’t plan to swim in college, so he knew this was his finale with Carl Albert.
He also knew he helped the Titans make program history, leaving him with a mix of feelings as he fought back tears while standing by the pool.
The Carl Albert boys won their first state title Friday night at Jenks Trojan Aquatic Center, steamrolling their competition. Carl Albert finished with 419½ points and was followed by Altus (270½) and Casady (202).
Sutterfield, who played a key role in the win, couldn’t imagine a better way to go out after the Titans lost by just one point to Tulsa Bishop Kelley at last year’s state meet.
More: Oklahoma high school swimming: McGuinness' Macy Lewis looks to join exclusive club
“It means so much to this program,” Sutterfield said. “It’s crazy. We walk around like a bunch of nobodies, but now everybody knows we’re somebody.”
Sutterfield helped Carl Albert win the 200-yard freestyle relay (1 minute, 31.50 seconds) and 200 medley relay (1:44.92), while placing third in the 100 backstroke (59.46) and fifth in the 50 freestyle (23.39).
He was one of seven Carl Albert boys who placed in the top five of an individual event.
Jackson Lorenz was among that group as he took third in the 200 individual medley (2:08.16) and fifth in the 100 butterfly (57.79).
Owen Ramirez finished in a tie for third in the 50 freestyle (23.09), while Shane McClung placed third in the 100 freestyle (51.27) and Andrew Campbell placed fifth in the same race with a time of 51.79.
Placing fourth in the 100 butterfly in 57.74 was Ridge Thornton, and Evan Wilcox was fifth in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.11).
Second-year head coach Josh Norman had high expectations for his team heading into meet, and his swimmers delivered.
“It’s pretty special to win one at your alma mater,” Norman said. “It’s special to win one on depth. The leadership this year created speed. I’m not a huge believer that speed can create leadership, but it went the other this year and it was really impressive.”
More: A look at Oklahoma City's girls high school basketball Fab 10 rankings for Feb. 15
Shawnee girls win third straight title
The YMCA in Shawnee was hit by a tornado last spring, leaving the high school team in a tough situation.
The Wolves had to find another place to swim.
They were also forced to get creative.
“We worked out daily in a 10-yard by 10-yard pool with bungee cords,” co-head coach Bob McNeil said of how Shawnee trained the past four months.
The Wolves’ training routine was different this season, but the end result at the girls state meet was the same it was the previous two years.
Shawnee claimed its third straight state championship as it finished with 248 points, 22 more than Altus and 29 more than Tulsa Bishop Kelley.
“This year, we’ve had battle after battle,” said junior Gracyn Simpson, who placed second in the 50 freestyle (55.21) and fourth in the 100 butterfly (1:03.60).
“It’s insane. Just to come out here and accomplish PRs for some of us is amazing. That we won another state championship, it’s beyond words. We couldn’t have done it without our parents’ help, with all these amazing coaches that have been with us forever.”
Victories in the 200 freestyle relay (1:47.91) and 400 freestyle relay (3:58.08) were crucial to Shawnee claiming the title.
Simpson, Ashley McDonald, Clara Timmons and Kimberly Albers competed in those races.
For McNeil, who shares coaching duties with Valarie Colburn and is the father of Missouri swimmer and former Shawnee star Piper McNeil, Friday’s victory was beyond special for everyone affiliated with the program.
“This one means more honestly than probably any of the others,” McNeil said. “This one really does.”
More: A look at Oklahoma City's boys high school basketball Fab 10 rankings for Feb. 15
McGuinness’ John Nguyen, Newcastle’s Connor Leader each win title
A pair of sophomores from the Oklahoma City metro each claimed their first title.
John Nguyen of Bishop McGuinness won the 200 freestyle in 1:47.47, while Newcastle’s Connor Leader claimed the championship in the 100 backstroke (55.44).
Leader was dominant in his win, while Nguyen’s victory was close as he beat Mount St. Mary’s Keegan Lassiter by just 0.06.
“I didn’t realize it, fully realize it, until the last 50,” Nguyen said. “I saw Keegan right on the side and I was like, ‘Oh, I need to pick it up now.’ So I just kept going and I didn’t really know I won until I saw the leaderboard.”
Leader is the only swimmer competing for Newcastle. His older sister, Ashley starred for the Racers before graduating, and now it’s his turn.
“It means a lot with all the hours that I practiced and stuff,” Leader said. “I mean, it just shows off — all the work that you put in and that you have to trust what you’re doing.”
More: Vote for the Oklahoma City-area high school athlete, team of the week
Other championship wins among OKC-area swimmers
Casady senior Thomas Rudnicki won the 50 freestyle in 22.88.
Mount St. Mary senior Keegan Lassiter claimed the title in the 100 butterfly (54.08).
Casady senior Maddy Lu won the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.02.
Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSSAA swimming: Carl Albert boys, Shawnee girls win 5A state meet
