Swimming & Diving 2/21/2023 9:54:00 AM

AquaBombers Win 60th District Title - Head to State

AquaBombers Win 60th District Title - Head to State

When a program captures its 60^th District crown (55^th consecutive), you hope it is a special occasion. The 2023 edition of the Southwest Ohio District Swimming and Diving championship was special in many ways for the AquaBombers. Winning seven of the twelve events certainly played a major part in the "festivities". However, several other factors added to a great day Saturday, February 18 at Nixon Aquatic Center on the campus of Miami (OH).

The Long Blue Lane "punched" 28 event tickets for the State championship in Canton on February 21 (diving) and 24^th – 25^th (swimming). Junior Thackston McMullan picked up four golds (200 Free, 500 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay). He was joined by four athletes who claimed gold twice – Jaeger Ellerman [SO] (200 Medley Relay, 100 Breast), Max Ward [JR] (200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay), Luca Eckert [SR] (200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay), and Alex Ingram [JR] (200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay). The victory stand was rounded out by Gavin Hang [SR] (Diving), Chase Dillon [SR] (200 Medley Relay), Adam Wade [SR] (200 Medley Relay) and Kyle Silvestain [SR] (400 Free Relay).

The 200 Free with McMullan, Ingram, Braydon Myers [SR] and Luca Eckert placed 1 – 2 – 4 – 7, scoring 64 points and all qualifying for Canton. The breaststrokers were right behind scoring 60 points. Ellerman was joined by Wade, Walker Bailey [SO], and Liam Bien [SO] placing 1 – 4 – 6 – 7 respectively and will all compete at State.

The top five team scores:
St. X                       493
Mason                   249
Beavercreek         227
Turpin                    163
Moeller                 161

The "Boys in Blue" were represented by 22 athletes; 19 scoring. Nine of the squad were making their inaugural appearance at Districts with seven of them scoring.

Following the team trophy presentation, head coach Dave Albert was named Coach of the Year by his peers.

This year, 32 qualifiers will head to Canton. Beelow is the AquaBomber roster by event:

200 Medley Relay
200 Free – McMullan, Ingram, Myers, L. Eckert
200 IM – Chase Grisi [FR], Nick Stroh [SR]
50 Free – Silvestain, Ward
Diving – Hang
100 Fly – Ward, Silvestain, Myers, Luke Mangano [JR]
100 Free – Eckert, L., Dillon, Wade
500 Free – McMullan, Ingram, Stroh, Grisi
200 Free Relay
100 Back – Dillon
100 Breast – Ellerman, Wade, Bailey, Bien
400 Free Relay

All three relays achieved automatic All-American status.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS –

89% Seasons Bests (89% at least one)
68% Lifetime Bests (77% at least one)
77% swims qualified for State
9 of 22 athletes "rookies" at District
34% of all individual qualifiers out of SW District
Roll Call – Seniors (8), Juniors (5), Sophomores (5), Freshmen (4)
Every class will be represented at State
Scored multiple times in eleven events (all four in five events)
21 Top 50 Times
Gold – 7, Silver – 2, Bronze – 3
Top 8 – 24
Top 16 – 7
Coaches Brower & Keefe recorded their 25^th consecutive District title

COACHES COMMENTS –

"A very solid performance by athletes and coaches. Much to the pleased about as we continue our journey," noted head coach Dave Albert.

"Our District remains one of the best in the country. We congratulate our team, as well as some great competitors. I look forward to returning to my hometown to take the final step of our season," offered assistant head coach, Jim Brower, a Canton native.

"60 District tiles and 55 years in a row is exemplary. Now we need to build upon this success as we move forward," commented assistant head coach Tom Keefe.

"We continue to train with intensity and focus, as we head to Canton," reflected coach Eric Breissinger.

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Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon: Junior; Lakota Ridge Jr. School

Max Ward: Sophomore; Loveland Middle School

Walker Bailey: Sophomore

Liam Bien: Sophomore

Luca Eckert: Senior

Jaeger Ellerman: Sophomore

Gavin Hang: Senior

Luke Mangano: Junior

Thackston McMullan: Junior

Braydon Myers: Senior

Kyle Silvestain: Senior

Adam Wade: Senior

Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon
: Junior; Lakota Ridge Jr. School

Max Ward
: Sophomore; Loveland Middle School

Walker Bailey
: Sophomore

Liam Bien
: Sophomore

Luca Eckert
: Senior

Jaeger Ellerman
: Sophomore

Gavin Hang
: Senior

Luke Mangano
: Junior

Thackston McMullan
: Junior

Braydon Myers
: Senior

Kyle Silvestain
: Senior

Adam Wade
: Senior

ST. XAVIER BOMBERS ATHLETICS

AquaBombers Win 60th District Title - Head to State

Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon

Max Ward

Walker Bailey

Liam Bien

Luca Eckert

Jaeger Ellerman

Gavin Hang

Luke Mangano

Thackston McMullan

Braydon Myers

Kyle Silvestain

Adam Wade

Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon

Max Ward

Walker Bailey

Liam Bien

Luca Eckert

Jaeger Ellerman

Gavin Hang

Luke Mangano

Thackston McMullan

Braydon Myers

Kyle Silvestain

Adam Wade

Scoreboard