ST. X HOISTS VIKING TROPHY
Less than 24 hours after competing in the Big 8 at Canton, the AquaBombers were back at it in the 51
st Annual Viking Invitational at Cleveland State's Robert F. Busbey Natatorium on December 20. The prelim/format featured over 30 teams with the Long Blue Lane finishing on top.
Top 5 Teams
St. XÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 377
St. Ignatius                 335
University School      246
Beachwood                192
Gates Mills Gilmour  158
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The 200 Free Relay stuck gold with the foursome of
Owen Gee [SO],
Tucker Charles [JR],
Alex Nixon [SR], and
Andrew Clippard [SR]. Junior
Safet Hatic finished first in the 50 Breast. Other top 3 finishers were:
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- 200 Medley Relay – 2nd (Charles, Hatic, Chase Grisi [SR], Sam DeMarco [SR])
- 200 Free – 3rd (Will Farrell [FR])
- 50 Free – 2nd (Grisi)
- 400 Free Relay – 2nd (Gee, Aidan Smith [SR], Clippard, Grisi)
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All fifteen of the squad scored and arrived home Sunday after a significant weekend.
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- 91% of swims qualified for Finals (30 of 33)
- Top 10: 22 – Top 20: 8
- 94% of swims would have qualified for Districts last year (31 of 33)
- 8 swims would have qualified for State last year
- 200 Free Relay All-American consideration
- Prelims 60% STP's (Season Top Performances)
- Finals 62% STP's (Season Top Performances)
- Gold – 2  Silver – 3  Bronze – 1
- 4 Top 50 Times
- 7 events faster than last year
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"Racing is the true test of what and how we train. We had many bright spots, but we have much to refine before we get to the championship portion of our season," reported head coach
Jim Brower.
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"We had an ambitious schedule. Pleased to see us put two sessions together. This format is so important for development," reflected coach
Dave Albert.
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