AQUABOMBERS CLAIM DISTRICT RUNNER-UP AND HEAD TO STATE
The Long Blue Lane swam with intensity and excellence at the Southeast Ohio District meet at Miami's Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center on Saturday, February 21.  The squad captured gold in 5 events and scored 461.50 finishing twelve behind Mason.  Top 5 teams were:
Mason             473.5
St. X                461.5
Milford            172
Moeller            151
Elder               107
 
St. X showed quality and impressive depth.  As importantly, they punched 31 event tickets for the State championship to be conducted Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 22 at C. T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
Senior Chase Grisi picked up wins in 3 events (200 Medley Relay, 200 Free and 200 Free Relay).  His lead off on the 200 Free Relay was the fastest 50 in the meet.  He was runner-up in the 100 Fly.  Also topping the podium in 3 races was junior Tucker Charles (200 Medley Relay, 100 Back, and 400 Free Relay).  Charles' split on the 400 Free Relay was the fastest of all competitors by over a second.  He was runner-up in the 100 Free.  Grisi and Charles were joined on the Medley by Will Farrell [FR] and Andrew Clippard [SR].
The 200 Free Relay made history setting a new meet record (previously held by Sycamore).  Grisi was followed by Aidan Smith [SR], Owen Gee [SO] and Sam DeMarco [SR].  The 400 Free Relay saw Charles anchor the contingent of Gee, Smith and DeMarco.  All relays achieved All-American status.
Speaking of All-American efforts, below is a summary of performances making the list:

"The Men in Blue" (including hair) scored all four in 5 of 9 individual events.  The 200 Freestylers were extremely dominant placing 4 on the podium and scoring 62 points (Grisi, Alex Nixon [SR], DeMarco, Brandon Hylton [SR]).  Not far behind were the "hundy" guys compiling 57 (Charles, DeMarco, Clippard, Hylton).  Rounding out the top 3 were the "D-Guys" (Gee, Cole Smith [JR], Nixon, Nabil Sinno [SR] with 50.
 
 
 
 
Below is the AquaBomber roster for the OHSAA championship

Freshman Hansen Rodger also represented St. X with a top 25 finish in the 100 Back.  Divers Andrew Policastro [SR], Jude Rice [JR] and Owen Kluener [SO] were on the boards Monday, February 16.  "Poli" placed 12^th with a personal best.

 
 
 

Many great swims from veterans and rookies alike.  The guys were focused and responded very well with tremendous competition," reflected coach Tim Beerman.
"Southwest Ohio is loaded.  We congratulate our guys, as well as the athletes and coaches in the District.  The meet is so well run by the officials and volunteers.  And our parents were extremely supportive.  Our journey continues," offered assistant head coach Tom Keefe.
"From warm-ups to the singing of our alma-mater, our athletes showed class and focus; a positive environment," reported coach Dave Albert.
"What a meet.  Great racing and now we take 16 AquaBombers to the "hub of the universe" – Canton.  Ohio has the best high school meet in the country, and we are excited to be a part of it," concluded head coach Jim Brower.