Swimming & Diving 1/17/2024 10:19:00 AM

Long Blue Lane Claims 40th Consecutive Southwest Ohio Swimming & Diving Classic

Long Blue Lane Claims 40th Consecutive Southwest Ohio Swimming & Diving Classic

The largest high school swimming and diving meet in the US was held January 13 – 14. Prelims were conducted at eleven sites with finals each evening at Keating Natatorium on the campus of St. Xavier. Over 110 schools, represented by over 2500 athletes, warmed thing up despite frigid temperatures. And when the championship style format was concluded, the AquaBombers hoisted the trophy, keeping the unbroken streak of 4 decades intact.
On the men's side the Top 5 teams were:

St. Xavier 551.50
Mason 299.50
Beavercreek 267
Milford 207
Moeller 205

Shorter "JV" events were also held featuring 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly and 100 IM. When the scores were tallied in these races, the "Men in Blue" were on top as well.

St. Xavier 155
Walnut Hills 89
Lakota East 51
Mason 34
Turpin 32

St. X chalked up wins in 8 of the 17 varsity events, with silver in three and bronze in one to round out the medal counts. In all the "home team" had 25 top 8 finishes and 20 top 16 finishes.
On the JV side, the competition was fast and St. X certainly got in on the action with 3 medalists, 9 top 8 finishes and an added 7 top 16 scores.

Classic medalist for the champions were:

400 Medley Relay – Tucker Charles [FR], Jaeger Ellerman [JR], Max Ward [SR], Thackston McMullan [SR] – 1^st
200 Free – Alex Ingram [SR] – 2^nd
100 IM – Sam DeMarco [So] – 2^nd

Brandon Hylton [SO] – 3^rd

50 Free – McMullan – 2^nd => 14^th All Time Classic

Ward – 3^rd

100 Fly – Ward – 1^st => 19^th All Time Classic
200 Breast – Ellerman – 1^st => Established New Classic record with 2:00.16
200 Free Relay – Ellerman, Ingram, Ward, McMullan – 1^st
200 Medley Relay – Charles, Ellerman, Ward, McMullan – 1^st
100 Free – McMullan – 1^st
200 Fly – Chase Grisi [SO] – 1^st => 24^th All Time Classic
100 Breast – Ellerman – 1^st => 10^th All Time Classic
50 Back – Caleb Chang [JR] – 1^st => 21^st All Time Classic
400 Free Relay – Ingram, Grisi, Ellerman, McMullan 1^st
100 Back (Paralympic) – Eli Franke [JR] – 2^nd
50 Free (Paralympic) – Franke – 2^nd

The Long Blue Lane scored in every event. Of particular note were the flyers who earned 88 points. The D-Guys continue to work hard, producing 5 scorers. The most dominant event for St. X was the 100 IM, where half the finalists wore the "X" on their caps.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS –

438 total St. X swims/dives
Best Times
- 65% Saturday (prelims)
- 60% Saturday (finals)
- 56% Sunday (prelims)
- 60% Sunday (finals)
76 swims would have qualified for District last year
15 swims would have qualified for State last year
All 3 high school event relays earned All-American status
Classic "Classes": Seniors – 10; Juniors – 23; Sophomores – 13; Freshmen – 9
Varsity and JV scorers from all four classes
30 St. X scorers
2450 competitive swims in last 8 weeks by AquaBombers

COACHES COMMENTS -

"A true team effort by our athletes, coaches and parents. We brought energy and quality in and out of the water. Coach Brower exemplifies a true "man for others" as he steps up and contributes in so many ways," commented head coach Dave Albert.

"Our divers continue to learn and contribute. I was pleased to see all three guys back for finals, with two on the scoreboard," reported head diving coach Brandon Unthank.

"The four session format requires focus, dedication and the ability to continue to race. It was exciting to watch our guys continue to throw it down at finals on Sunday," noted assistant head coach Jim Brower.

"We focus not only on high school events, but also the collegiate ones as well. Our 200 Flyers certainly exemplified that. We will continue to get after it as we move into the latter stages of our season," reflected coach Eric Breissinger.

"Watching so many of our athletes earn a spot at finals is very rewarding. It is amazing how far some of these young men have come," critiqued coach Matt Normile.

"The Classic is such a monumental undertaking. We congratulate the officials who make it possible. We are so fortunate to be a part of such a meaningful and well run event. We certainly appreciate the opportunity to compete at such a comprehensive and high level," concluded assistant head coach Tom Keefe.

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Players Mentioned

Caleb Chang: Junior

Tucker Charles: Freshman

Sam DeMarco: Sophomore

Jaeger Ellerman: Junior

Eli Franke: Junior

Chase Grisi: Sophomore

Brandon Hylton: Sophomore

Thackston McMullan: Senior

Max Ward: Senior

Players Mentioned

Caleb Chang
: Junior

Tucker Charles
: Freshman

Sam DeMarco
: Sophomore

Jaeger Ellerman
: Junior

Eli Franke
: Junior

Chase Grisi
: Sophomore

Brandon Hylton
: Sophomore

Thackston McMullan
: Senior

Max Ward
: Senior

ST. XAVIER BOMBERS ATHLETICS

Long Blue Lane Claims 40th Consecutive Southwest Ohio Swimming & Diving Classic

Players Mentioned

Caleb Chang

Tucker Charles

Sam DeMarco

Jaeger Ellerman

Eli Franke

Chase Grisi

Brandon Hylton

Thackston McMullan

Max Ward

Players Mentioned

Caleb Chang

Tucker Charles

Sam DeMarco

Jaeger Ellerman

Eli Franke

Chase Grisi

Brandon Hylton

Thackston McMullan

Max Ward

Scoreboard