FIRST PLACE FINISHES HARD TO COME BY IN LOSS TO LAKEWOOD ST. EDS.

When new Head Coach Dan Reese added St. Eds to the schedule this season many of the boys turned their heads in bewilderment.  St. Eds is a swimming power in Northeast Ohio.  Head coach Dan Reese said, “If you want to be one of the big boys you have to play with the big boys.  This was a tough match-up for us.  St. Eds has incredible talent and depth, but our men stepped up, had several great swims and showed incredible resilience in the meet.”  Last Saturday, December 22, St. Eds proved too much for the boys as they lost 127-57.   Stow is 3-1 over all and 2-0 in the NOC.

First and second place finishes where hard to come by, but junior Cody Vantrease, senior diver Will Sheppard and senior Jacob Earle were up to the challenge.  Coach Reese commented, “Cody Vantrease continues to look stronger and stronger each meet and he is looking strong heading into our league championship meet.”  Vantrease took first in the 100 Fly with a 57.73 and second in the 200 Free 153.83.  Vantrease commented, “My 200 free wasn’t the greatest and I knew I needed to put it behind me for the 100 Fly.  I felt strong and controlled throughout the entire race.  It’s not where I need to be at the end of the season, but it was still a great time.”  Sheppard scored a 172.50 with his first place finish.  Sheppard has been consistent throughout the season and didn’t disappoint this meet.  Earle took second in the 100 Breast with a 106.55.  Earle said, “Even though we were all very tired and sore we were able to get some very good swims in. Though we had lost the meet halfway through us guys still had fun and cheered each other on. It was nice to see everyone still going out and giving it their all.”

In other scoring, the 200 Free Medley Relay of Vantrease, Earle, senior Cameron Potter, and junior Curtis Henry took third with a 1:50.39.  Earle took third in the 200 Free 1:58.21.  Sophomore Shane Riddle 2:30.26 took fourth in the 200 IM.  Potter 24.23 and Henry 25.07 took third and fifth respectively.  In diving, seniors Parker Gabriel 129.30 and Jeff Bryrne 101.25 took third and fourth.  Junior Calub Studt took fifth with a 1:16.90 in the 100 Fly.  Potter went a 53.59 in the 100 Free taking third.  Riddle 5:43.49 and junior Justin Faluotico 5:45.20 took fourth and fifth in the 500 Free.  The 200 Free Relay team of Vantrease, Henry, Earle and Potter took second 1:36.97.  Sophomore Max Bauer took fourth with a 1:11.01 in the 100 Back and Studt took fifth with a 1:11.31.  Sophomore Wes Terill took fifth in the 100 Breast with a 1:28.47.  Finishing out the scoring for the Bulldogs in the 400 Free Relay 4:01.61 was Riddle, Junior Schuyler Morris, senior Ethan Schur and Faluotico.

Coach Reese observed, “Kudos to our boys captains, Cameron Potter and Willie Donahue for keeping our men focused and positive during a tough time of the year. Our underclassmen are starting to show great improvement, Max Baur, Travis Delker, and Shane Riddle stand out as had strong performances on Saturday.”

Next up for the boys is Parma Normandy at Normandy High School on December 27th.