Swimming & Diving 2/27/2023 9:07:00 AM

AquaBombers Bring Home 43rd State Championship

AquaBombers Bring Home 43rd State Championship

The St. Xavier Swimming and Diving program has long been noted for its team first approach. That characteristic was certainly on full display at Canton as the AquaBombers dove, swam, cheered and coached their way to the Long Blue Lane's 43^rd Ohio title (23^rd in 25 years with runner-up trophies in 2008 and 2022). The team was represented in every event at the 96^th edition of arguably the best high school meet in the country. The high energy tournament is held at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.

Following senior Gavin Hang's 5^th place finish in diving on Tuesday, Eli Franke [SO] finaled in the Para 50 Free and 100 Back on Thursday. The remainder of the team cranked it up big time at prelims on Friday and never looked back. All three relays qualified first and were joined by ten championship, and seven consolation final spots. Projected to score 265 points, the squad produced the largest margin of improvement in the meet by racking up 287. Upper Arlington finished second with 182 and Dublin Jerome claimed third with 158. Other teams of note – St. Ignatius (5^th/120 points), Mason (6^th/117 points) and Beavercreek (11^th/84 points).

Leading the way was four-time winner Thackston McMullan [JR] (200 Free, 500 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay). Fellow juniors Alex Ingram and Max Ward made their way to the podium four times – Ingram (200 Free – 4^th, 500 Free – 3^rd, 200 Free Relay – 1st, 400 Free Relay – 1^st) and Ward (200 Medley Relay – 1^st, 50 Free – 8^th, 100 Fly – 3^rd, 200 Free Relay – 1^st). The two had plenty of company throughout the night in the scoring column:

Chase Dillon [SR] 200 Medley Relay – 1^st, 100 Free – 16^th, 100 Back – 8^th
Luca Eckert [SR] 200 Free – 16^th, 100 Free – 13^th, 400 Free Relay – 1^st
Jaeger Ellerman [SO] 200 Medley Relay – 1^st, 400 Free Relay – 1^st
Chase Grisi [FR] 500 Free – 11^th
Braydon "Donny" Myers [SR] 200 Free – 6^th, 100 Fly – 14^th
Kyle Silvestain [SR] 50 Free – 16^th, 100 Fly – 5^th, 400 Free Relay – 1^st
Nick Stroh [SR] 500 Free – 16^th
Adam Wade [SR] 200 Medley Relay – 1^st

Also representing St. X at Canton were Walker Bailey [SO], Liam Bien [SO] and Luke Mangano [JR].

In many ways, the impressive improvement of the team can be traced to the seniors. The six seniors consisting of Dillon, Eckert, Myers, Silvestain, Stroh and Wade amassed 86 points, as they embraced the year long quest to hoist the Championship trophy.

The results will have post season All-American implications.

200 Medley Relay – Dillon, Ellerman, Ward, Wade*
200 Free – McMullan*, Ingram
50 Free – Ward*, McMullan
100 Fly – Ward*, Silvestain
100 Free – McMullan
500 Free – McMullan*
200 Free Relay – McMullan, Ward, Ingram, Silvestain*
100 Breast - Ellerman
400 Free Relay – Ingram, Ellerman, Eckert, McMullan*

*Automatic Designation

INSIDE THE NUMBERS –

St. X projected to score 265 points- scored 287
81% of St. X performances factored into scoring total
24 St. X Top 50 Times (15 Top 25)
67% Lifetime Best Swims – "BLT's" (85% had at least one)
6 "Rookies" at Canton
"Classifieds" – Seniors (7), Juniors (4), Sophomores (3), Freshmen (1)
Since 1970 – 43 State Championships / 7 State Runner-Ups
Every class had a scorer
Over 3300 individual swims/dives this season
8 of 11 events faster than last year
68 All-American automatic or consideration swims
34% of swims at State were from SW District
35% of scoring swims were from SW District
60% of scoring swims at State were produced by seniors

COACHES COMMENTS –

"When I became a part of the team in the fall of 2004, I knew it was unique. My appreciation of our athletes and coaches has grown through the years. I am extremely grateful to my own family for the love and support. I am also grateful to the AquaBomber family for all they have done to make our flight to the title so special. Congratulations to all involved with the Long Blue Lane," commented head coach Dave Albert.

"We had a very specific approach going into Canton. It is extremely gratifying to see it culminate in a State championship. Returning to my hometown is a trip I enjoy making. Watching our guys throw it down at C. T. Branin certainly adds to the enjoyment. Congrats not only to our athletes, but also the wonderful competitors from around Ohio," reflected assistant head coach Jim Brower.

"No season is the same and like all teams, we faced challenges. But we worked together to accomplish something as a program. Great demonstration of quality racing," summarized coach Eric Breissinger.

"There are so many success stories wrapped around this championship. Our efforts to bring home #43 was a yearlong process. There were certainly significant elements of courage, commitment and caring from athletes, coaches, family, friends and fans", noted assistant head coach Tom Keefe.

Swim

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Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon: Junior; Lakota Ridge Jr. School

Eli Franke: Freshman; Sycamore Middle 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

Kyle Silvestain: Senior

Adam Wade: Senior

Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon
: Junior; Lakota Ridge Jr. School

Eli Franke
: Freshman; Sycamore Middle 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

Kyle Silvestain
: Senior

Adam Wade
: Senior

ST. XAVIER BOMBERS ATHLETICS

AquaBombers Bring Home 43rd State Championship

Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon

Eli Franke

Max Ward

Walker Bailey

Liam Bien

Luca Eckert

Jaeger Ellerman

Gavin Hang

Luke Mangano

Thackston McMullan

Kyle Silvestain

Adam Wade

Players Mentioned

Chase Dillon

Eli Franke

Max Ward

Walker Bailey

Liam Bien

Luca Eckert

Jaeger Ellerman

Gavin Hang

Luke Mangano

Thackston McMullan

Kyle Silvestain

Adam Wade

Scoreboard