Swimming & Diving 2/26/2024 12:48:00 PM

St. Xavier Swimming & Diving Claims 44th State Championship

St. Xavier Swimming & Diving Claims 44th State Championship

When any athletic program graduates 7 scorers from a State Championship (including 5 All-Americans), it raises the question about filling the void. This season, the St. Xavier Swimming and Diving team faced that challenge having lost 121 points from the class of '23. However, the AquaBombers athletes and coaches collaborated from day one to maximize their efforts to secure another Ohio State title. Competing February 23 and 24 at Canton's legendary C. T. Branin Natatorium, the Long Blue Lane produced another impressive performance and swam away with the programs 44^th championship trophy (24 in last 26 years).

A very solid prelims on Friday morning, was followed that evening by inspiring swims from Eli Franke [JR] in the Para 50 Free and 100 Back. Saturday, his teammates were back in action with points and a title on the line. All three relays qualified at the top joined by nine Championship and 8 consolation final spots. Projected to score 278, the squad took it up a notch scoring 302. Top 5 teams:

St. Xavier                     302
Upper Arlington           229
Columbus St. Charles   205
Cleveland St. Ignatius   166
Massillon Jackson        148.5

Other local teams of note, Moeller 9^th – 78 points, Ross 10^th – 77 points, Beavercreek 11^th – 76 points, and Mason and Milford 12^th with 62 points.
Leading the way was four-time winner Thackston McMullan [SR] (200 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay). Three others made their way to the podium 4 times, Max Ward [SR] (200 Medley Relay – 2^nd, 50 Free – 5^th, 100 Fly – 1^st, 200 Free Relay – 1^st), Jaeger Ellerman [JR] (200 Medley Relay – 2^nd, 100 Free – 2^nd, 100 Breast – 2^nd, 400 Free Relay – 1^st), and Alex Ingram [SR] (200 Free – 5^th, 500 Free – 3^rd, 200 Free Relay – 1^st, 400 Free Relay – 1^st). In addition, Chase "Bob" Grisi [SO] climbed the steps 3 times (200 Free – 3^rd, 200 Free Relay – 1^st, 400 Free Relay – 1^st also 13^th in 500 Free).
The five had plenty of company throughout the night as St. X scored in every event, with multiple scorers in 6 of the 8 events.

Walker Bailey [JR] 100 Breast – 15^th
Liam Bien [JR] 200 Medley Relay – 1^st, 50 Free – 15^th, 100 Breast – 13^th
Tucker Charles [FR] 200 Medley Relay – 2^nd, 100 Back – 11^th
Andrew Clippard [SO] 50 Free – 11^th, 100 Free – 15^th
Gino Eckert [JR] 200 IM – 13^th
Luke Mangano [JR] 100 Fly – 11^th

Also representing the defending State Champions were Ocean Isham [SR], Sam DeMarco [SO] and Alex Nixon [SO].

McMullan wraps up his career with 9 State wins (5 individual and 4 relays) and a perfect 16 for 16 in podium visits. Fellow senior Alex Ingram climbed on the podium 13 times in his outstanding career and was part of 4 winning relays. Max Ward earned his first individual win (100 Fly) to go along with three relay triumphs and 9 podium appearances.
The results will have post season All-American implications, as well as rankings by NISCA (National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association), Swimming World Magazine and Swim Cloud.

200 Medley Relay – Charles, Ellerman, Ward, Bien* (Currently 9^th in US)
200 Free – McMullan*, Grisi#
50 Free – McMullan*, Ward#
100 Fly – Ward*
100 Free – McMullan*, Ellerman#
200 Free Relay – McMullan, Ward, Grisi, Ingram* (currently 2^nd in US)
100 Breast – Ellerman*
400 Free Relay – Ingram, Grisi, Ellerman, McMullan* (currently 8^th in US)

*All-American – Automatic #All-American – Consideration

INSIDE THE NUMBERS –

Gold 5 – Silver 3 – Bronze – 2
Top 8 - 12
Top 16 – 8
St. X projected to score 278 points – scored 302
86% of St. X swims factored into scoring total
23 St. X Top 50 Times (15 top 25)
60% Lifetime Best Swims – "BLT's" (70% had at least one)
5 Rookies at Canton
"Classifieds" – Seniors (5), Juniors (4), Sophomores (4), Freshmen (1)
Since 1970 – 44 State Championships / 7 State Runner-Ups
Every class had a scorer
Over 3200 individual swims/dives this season for AquaBombers
All 3 relays faster than last year
60 All-American automatic or consideration swims from Ohio State meet
41% of swims at State were from SW District
45% of scoring swims were from SW District
53% of scoring swims at State were produced by Seniors
6 of the Top 12 teams from SW District – 12 of Top 24 teams from SW District

COACHES COMMENTS –

"It was a remarkable season in many ways. Our athletes showed resilience, tenacity and a dedication to one another. Working with a gifted and experienced staff, we were able to make appropriate adjustments throughout the year and our guys responded. We congratulate not only our team, but so many outstanding swimmers with whom we competed," reflected head coach Dave Albert.

"Returning home to Canton is a trip I often make. Bringing a championship trophy back to St. X certainly makes the ride back to Cincinnati a lot to be grateful for. There is nothing like the State meet at C. T. Branin. Being on the podium with our swimmers and my fellow coaches certainly makes me feel at home", commented assistant head coach Jim Brower (it was Brower's 30^th State championship with St. X).

"There were many remarkable performances. I am very pleased to see a season of hard work pay dividends at the right time," offered coach Tim Beerman.

"It is a challenging sport. We ask a lot from our guys all season long. To see them reach some truly meaningful results is gratifying to our staff," noted coach Eric Breissinger.

"It never gets old and it never gets easy. Not only do our athletes commit to a very challenging journey, but so do their families. We share this accomplishment with so many who have played a role. I am blessed to be a part of it," summarized assistant head coach Tom Keefe.

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Players Mentioned

Walker Bailey: Junior

Liam Bien: Junior

Tucker Charles: Freshman

Andrew Clippard: Sophomore

Sam DeMarco: Sophomore

Gino Eckert: Junior

Jaeger Ellerman: Junior

Eli Franke: Junior

Ocean Isham: Senior

Luke Mangano: Senior

Thackston McMullan: Senior

Alex Nixon: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Walker Bailey
: Junior

Liam Bien
: Junior

Tucker Charles
: Freshman

Andrew Clippard
: Sophomore

Sam DeMarco
: Sophomore

Gino Eckert
: Junior

Jaeger Ellerman
: Junior

Eli Franke
: Junior

Ocean Isham
: Senior

Luke Mangano
: Senior

Thackston McMullan
: Senior

Alex Nixon
: Sophomore

ST. XAVIER BOMBERS ATHLETICS

St. Xavier Swimming & Diving Claims 44th State Championship

Players Mentioned

Walker Bailey

Liam Bien

Tucker Charles

Andrew Clippard

Sam DeMarco

Gino Eckert

Jaeger Ellerman

Eli Franke

Ocean Isham

Luke Mangano

Thackston McMullan

Alex Nixon

Players Mentioned

Walker Bailey

Liam Bien

Tucker Charles

Andrew Clippard

Sam DeMarco

Gino Eckert

Jaeger Ellerman

Eli Franke

Ocean Isham

Luke Mangano

Thackston McMullan

Alex Nixon

Scoreboard