Stow Bulldog Swim Team Rallies to Second Place at Northeast Ohio Sectionals.

Stow Boy's Swim Team Finishes Second Place at Northeast Ohio Sectionals.

Both Teams Send Several Swimmers to Districts at Cleveland State.

The Stow-Munroe Falls Boys Swim and Diving Team continued to exceed expectations as they surprised even themselves with a second place finish at the Northeast Sectional Swim Meet at the University of Akron’s Ocasek Natatorium.  

Although a surprise, it wasn’t completely unexpected as the boys have worked hard these past two weeks in order to swim their best times of the season.  As a result Stow placed several swimmers and a diver into the district meet at Cleveland State University this weekend.  

Those qualifying were junior diver Will Sheppard, the 200 Medley Relay, sophomore Cody Vantrease in the 100 Free and 200 Free, senior Jeremy Wentz and junior Jacob Earle in the 200 IM, senior Joe Freudeman in the 100 Fly, Jeremy Wentz in the 100 Free, junior Mason Gabriel in the 500 Free, senior Chris Blohm in the 100 Back, Jacob Earle in the 100 Breast and the 400 Free Relay.

At this point in the year swimmers begin to taper their workouts in order to improve their times.  Most of Stow’s swimmers tapered for this sectional meet which resulted in several outstanding swims and personal best times.  The meet began the night before with diving.  Will Shepard finished 6th in diving scoring 255.75 points.  

The 200 Medley Relay of  Chris Blohm, Jacob Earle, Jeremy Wentz and Cody Vantrease finished 3rd at 1:44.19.  Cody Vantrease took 2nd in the 200 Free with a 1:48.39 and 6th in the 100 Free with a 49.58.  Jeremy Wentz placed 3rd with a 2:07.53 and Jacob Earle finished 4th at 2:07.55.  

Wentz finished 12th place in the 100 Free at 50.51.  In the 100 Fly Joe Freudeman took fourth with a 56.23.  Mason Gabriel finished 9th place with a 5:21.78 in the 500 Free.  In the 100 Back Chris Blohm finished 5th with a 59.28.  

Jacob Earle dropped significant time in his 100 Breast to record a second place finish at 1:02.56.  The 400 Free Relay team of Jeremy Wentz, junior Parker Gabriel, Cody Vantrease and Joe Freudeman again posted a relay best time of 3:24.07 with a 3rd place finish.  

Head Coach Athena Miller was so excited for her swimmers.  "Stow men and women swimmers had amazing swims across the board this weekend. They surpassed every one's expectations and opened the door to even more possibilities than they imagined.

They took to the water and swam with tremendous heart that paid off for everyone. We are all anxious for the district meet Friday.”

The Lady Bulldogs posted some outstanding swims as well and qualified several swimmers to districts.  

Qualifying for districts senior Jessica Lee and freshman Kelly Vantrease in the 200 IM, sophomore Jenni Heid in the 50 Free and in the 100 Fly, freshman Kelsey Wenk in the 100 Free and the 100 Back, sophomores Lindsey Adkins and Tori McCauley in the 100 Free and Jessica Lee and senior Haley Adkins in the 100 Breast. 

Jenni Heid finished 18th in the 50 Free with a 26.0 and 14th in the 100 Fly with a 1:03.78.  In the 200 IM Jessica Lee finished 10th with a 2:23.18 and Kelly Vantrease finished 14th with a 2:25.99.  Kelsey Wenk finished 12th in the 100 Free with a 56.27 and 7th in the 100 Back with a 1:03.52.  In the 100 Free Lindsey Adkins finished 18 with a 57.15 and Tori McCauley finished 22nd with a 27.67.  In the 100 Breast Jessica Lee finished 7th with a 1:12.13 and Haley Adkins finished 12th with a 1:14.29.

Both swim teams are set to compete Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. at Cleveland State University.