LADY BULLDOG SWIMMERS BEAT THE BEARS IN A THRILLER

The Bulldogs knew it was going to by a tough meet.  They knew they would need the best swims of the season to beat a very good North Royalton team. The Bulldogs won a close one 94-92.  “The girls finished a brutal division season in second place with a record of 4-1, (4-2 overall), and in our division that is incredible,” said Head Coach Dan Reese. “There is no easy meet in our division so to do this is something to be very proud of.”

From the very first event this meet was close.  In the 200 Medley Relay sophomore Kelsey Wenk, junior Ainsley Wilbur, junior Maddie Dyer and sophomore Kelly Vantrease out touched Royalton by .37 of a second to take first place.

In the 200 Free junior Tori McCauley took first with a personal best time of 2:05.80.  Junior Lindsey Adkins took third with a 2:07.35 and Dyer took fifth with a 2:09.78.

Wilbur took second in the 200 IM with a 2:26.91 and Vantrease took third with a 2:29.47.

Junior Jenni Heid won the 50 Free by less than a half second with a 26.44 and sophomore Erin Fenwick took fourth with a personal best 27.59.

In the diving event freshman Erika Delker improved her personal best with a score of 159 points and junior Sierra Clark finished fifth with a 149.47.

Heid took another first place in the 100 Fly with a 1:05.58 and Dyer took third with a 1:06.88.

McCauley scored her second of two first places with a personal best 57.08 in the 100 Free.  Wenk took second with a 57.81.

Vantrease took a first place in the 500 Free with a personal best time of 5:39.74 and Fenwick took fifth with a 6:19.97. 

The 200 Free Relay of Heid, McCauley, Vantrease and Adkins took first with a 1:46.40.  The relay team of Wilbur, Dyer, Fenwick and senior captain Rachael Moretti took third with a 1:51.15.

In the 100 Back Wenk took second with a 1:05.91 and Akdins took third with a 1:08.24.

Wilbur took second in the 100 Breast with a 1:17.23 and freshman Gretchen Evan took 4th with a 1:18.61.

Rounding out the scoring for the Bulldogs was the 400 Free Relay team of Wenk, Heid, McCauley and Adkins with a 3:51.90. 

Coach Reese stated, “Our girls have shown great improvement throughout the year, and heading into our sectional swim meet I am very encouraged.  I was blown away with the effort by our 400 free relay, with the meet on the line they stepped up.”

For the seniors it was a special night that will last a lifetime.  Senior Hannah Evan mentioned, “I have loved being on Stow’s swim team for four years.  All the people on the team have become like my second family to me.  Senior Night was so special.  It was everything I hoped it would be.  I will miss everyone so much.” 

Senior Rachael Moretti said, “I have really enjoyed swimming on Stow’s swim team for the past four years.  It has changed my life and I really enjoyed being recognized at Senior Night.  It was so much fun and I’m really going to miss everyone.”