Following Sectionals, St. X was projected to finish second at the Southwest Ohio District meet behind a very deep and talented Mason squad (Mason 380 – St. X 347) and win one event. However, that is not how it played out at Miami's Cowin M. Nixon Aquatic Center. The Long Blue Lane captured gold in 6 events and scored 490 points, earning the program's 62^nd (57^th consecutive) title.

The top 5 teams were:

• St. X                490
• Mason             348.5
• Moeller           226
• Milford           199
• Turpin             138.5

 
The AquaBombers showed quality and impressive depth. As importantly, they "punched" 29 event tickets for the State championship to be conducted Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22 at C. T. Branin Natatorium in Canton. Diving takes place earlier in the week with Nathan Coffman [SO] representing the team.

Senior Jaeger Ellerman picked up gold in four events (200 Medley Relay, 100 Free, 100 Breast, 400 Free Relay). Close behind was Chase Grisi [JR] who garnered 3 golds (200 Free, 100 Fly and 400 Free Relay) as well as a silver as part of the 200 Free Relay. Joining Ellerman on the All-American Medley were Tucker Charles [SO], Owen Gee [FR], and Sam DeMarco [JR]. The quartet of Grisi, Ellerman, Gino Eckert [SR] and Alex Nixon [JR] finished first with an All-American swim in the 400 Free Relay.

Speaking of All-American efforts, below is a summary of performances making the list:

5. 200 Medley Relay – (Automatic)
5. 200 Free – Grisi (Automatic)
5. 100 Fly – Grisi (Consideration)
5. 100 Free – Grisi (Consideration)
5. 200 Free Relay – (Consideration)
5. 100 Breast – Ellerman (Consideration
5. Walker Bailey [SR] (Consideration)
5. 400 Free Relay – (Automatic)

 
"The Men in Blue" (including hair) scored all four in 6 of 9 individual events. The 100 Freestylers were extremely dominant placing 4 in the top 5 (Ellerman, Eckert, Charles and Andrew Clippard [JR]) while compiling 66 points. Not far behind were the Breaststrokers (Ellerman, Bailey, Liam Bien [SR], and Safet Hatic [SO] who garnered 56. Rounding out the top 3 of events were the middle distance contingent in the 200 Free of Grisi, Nixon, Nabil Sinno [JR] and Jonathan Naylor [SR], good for 52.
 

Below is the AquaBomber roster for the OHSAA championship:

• 200 Medley Relay
• 200 Free – Grisi, Nixon, Sinno
• 200 IM – Eckert, Brayden Scott [JR], Bailey
• 50 Free – Clippard, Bien, DeMarco
• 100 Fly – Grisi, Gee, DeMarco
• 100 Free – Ellerman, Clippard, Eckert, Charles
• 500 Free – Gee, Nixon, Sinno, Cole Smith [SO]
• 100 Back – Charles
• 100 Breast – Ellerman, Bailey, Bien, Hatic
• 400 Free Relay
• Diving – Nathan Coffman
• Para 50 Free – Eli Franke
• Para 100 Back – Franke

The Long Blue Lane was also represented by Brandon Hylton [JR], Hendrix Cross [SR] and Tyler Bush [SR], all who finished in the top 25.

Head coach Dave Albert was selected Coach of the Year by his peers.
   

• - INSIDE THE NUMBERS -

• 80% of swims qualified for State
• 7 of 20 swimmers "rookies" at District
• Roll Call – Seniors (7), Juniors (8), Sophomores (3), Freshman (1)
• Every class will be represented at Canton
• Scored multiple times in all individual events (maximum in 6)
• 20 Top 50 Times
• Gold – 6          Silver – 3        Bronze – 2
• Top 8 – 22       Top 16 – 10
• 8 All-American swims
• 83% Best Times
• 38% of State qualifiers from Southwest District

 

• - COACHES' COMMENTS -

"Everyone played a significant part in this championship. Southwest Ohio is rich in talent. We certainly are inspired by the level of competition. We were pleased at our athletes responses," commented head coach Dave Albert.

"Our District remains one of the best in the country and the numbers support it. Now my hometown of Canton becomes the "hub of the universe" as far as I am concerned. We welcome the trip north," reflected assistant head coach and 4 time Hall of Famer Jim Brower.

"Coach Brower describes this part to the season as an eight day meet (District & State combined). We got off to a solid start, more work to be done," analyzed assistant head coach Tom Keefe.

"We made significant adjustments the last 2 weeks and took it up a notch. Please to see the progress, but we all realize the challenges ahead," concluded coach Eric Breissinger.

"Certainly some great swims. Always pleased to see our veterans and rookies step up at this level of the sport," offered coach Tim Beerman.