Since no other KMAC school has a swim team, Mount Gilead competed in the North Central Ohio Swim League Championship, held at Colonel Crawford High School Saturday.
The other competing schools were Ada, Bucyrus, Colonel Crawford, Fostoria, Marion Elgin, Upper Sandusky and Wynford. The boys team won many of the events, but finished third behind Colonel Crawford and Upper Sandusky.
“These schools have much larger teams, so they can score up to 3 swimmers in each event. MG doesn’t have that kind of depth,” said coach Dina Snow. “We had some excellent races and really represented Mount Gilead well. Our girls’ team only has six members, two of whom are first year swimmers—and they ended up coming in fourth! I was really proud of our team.
“Meet organizers set up a podium to recognize the top 5 finishers in individual events and top 3 relay finishers. It was so great to see MG athletes on the podium for so many events. This meet also gives swimmers the chance to be recognized as first team, second team and honorable mention athletes in the league since we don’t have the MOAC or other full conference any more. Their first, second and third place championship finishes correlate to these honors,” explained Snow.
Top relay finishes: First place: boys 200 medley relay (Eric Mowery, Tyler Knight, Joel Conrad and Michael Snopik) and boys 400 free relay (Mowery, Mason Kidwell, Snopik and Conrad). Both relays broke their previous school records. Second place: boys 200 free relay (Knight, Kidwell, Cole Hershner and Luke Fraizer). Third place: girls 400 free relay (Emily Hanft, Taylor Robinson, Michaela McGill and Adriana Tinch).
Making the podium with top five finishes in individual events: Mowery, second in the 200 free and 500 free. He also moved into fourth place in the MG top 5 in the 500. Snopik, first in the 50 free and 100 free. He also set the meet record in the 100 free. Conrad, first in the 100 fly and 100 back. His 100 fly time beat his previous school record. Knight, fourth in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free, also earning a PR in the 100. Kidwell, third in the 100 fly. Fraizer, fourth in the 100 breast. Hershner, fifth in the 100 breast. Hanft, fourth in the 50 free and second in the 500 free. She also broke the school record in the 500 free. Tinch, fourth in the 100 free with a PR.
Scoring additional points for MG were Robinson in the 200 free with a PR and 100 back; Seamus Walsh, 50 free; Hershner, 100 free; McGill, 100 free; Hayden McClelland, 100 back; Aydyn Newson, 100 breast; Kamry Grandstaff, 50 free and 100 breast; Tinch, 100 back; and Ella Fraizer, 100 breast. Walsh also had a PR with his lead-off 100 free in a 400 free relay.
The swimmers will travel to Columbus Academy on Feb. 13 and 14 for the Central District Sectional Tournament.
