42^ND ANNUAL SOUTHWEST OHIO SWIMMING AND DIVING CLASSIC
"AN INSTANT CLASSIC"
 
When over 100 schools represented by over 2,400 athletes get together for the largest high school swim meet in the country, you know it is special.  When the outcome is determined by the final race of the 2 day prelim/final format, it becomes an instant "Classic".  And that is precisely what occurred at historic Keating Natatorium.
 
The St. Xavier squad earned its 42^nd consecutive title as they competed with a very talented and deep Mason team along with 95 other boys schools.  St. X garnered 703 points to 696.5 for the Comets.  Rounding out the top 5 were Milford 278, Moeller 217.5 and Kings 148.  To put it into perspective, St. X and Mason scored 41% of all possible points.
 
The final tally was up for grabs as Keating was rocking for the 400 Free Relay.  The foursome of Owen Gee [SO], Tucker Charles [JR], Sam DeMarco [SR] and Chase Grisi [SR] posted and All-American performance going 3:02.26 and they needed 40 points to clinch the title.
 
Chase Grisi had a remarkable weekend picking up 6 golds and one silver.  His 200 Free swim was literally one for the ages as he broke Olympian Joey Hudepohl's mark.  He was also part of the record setting 200 Free Relay joined by Gee, Andrew Clippard [SR], and Charles.  His other golds came in the 200 IM, 200 Fly, 400 Free Relay and 200 Medley Relay (Charles, Safet Hatic [JR], Grisi, DeMarco), with silver in the fly.
 
St. X chalked up wins in 7 of the 17 "varsity" events with an additional 3 silver and 5 bronze.  The medal count was 2 more than a year ago.  In all the "home team" had 35 Top 8 and 21 Top 16 finishes in varsity events. 
 
On the JV side, the competition was fast and the Long Blue Lane scored in every event, led by Grant Schibi's [SO] podium performance in the 100 IM.  Posting double final efforts was Link Tobery [SR] (50 Back and 50 Breast) and John Marsen [JR] (100 IM and 50 Back).
 
Classic medalists for the AquaBombers:
 

                        Nixon [SO] 3^rd

 
It should be noted that Farrell's 100 Breast and Gee's 200 Fly were Top 24 Classic times.
 
The Long Blue Lane scored in every event.  Of particular impact were the "milers" (Doepke, Nixon, Cole Smith [JR], Gee, Nabil Sinno [SR], Hansen Rodger [FR] who accounted for 70 points.  Not far behind were the 200 guys (Grisi, DeMarco, Nixon, Brandon Hylton [SR], Aidan Smith [SR], Sinno) with 61 points.  And as usual the 200 Flyers left their mark (Grisi, Nixon, Smith, A., Gee and DeMarco) adding 56.
 
The swimming prelims were conducted at 11 sites.  With finals both days at St. Xavier.  The diving prelims were held at 4 sites with finals at West Clermont.  And the divers proved to be the difference as Andrew Policastro [SR] and Nick Petrocelli [SR] added the needed 7 points for the 6.5 difference for the 42^nd Southwest Swimming and Diving crown.
 
Alex Nixon was chosen as a Southwest Ohio Classic Scholarship recipient for his athletic, academic and civic achievements.




 
    
 

 

 
 
            
 
 
 

 
"To say it was quite a meet would be an understatement.  4 sessions coupled with so many record setting efforts led up to a dramatic conclusion," noted coach Gerry Vondenbrink.
 
"Coach Brower put together a great line up and our guys performed extremely well.  The level of competition has never been higher.  When you consider that 15 of 17 events were faster than last year, it really emphasizes the importance of each swim.  I am always impressed with the quality and professionalism of the hundreds of volunteers who make the Classic so special.  And the food was great," reflected assistant head coach Tom Keefe.
 
"When Coach Keefe and I left Keating at 12:10 a.m. on Monday morning, I certainly appreciated the time and effort put in by so many athletes, officials, coaches, families and fans.  The Classic is a true test of team spirit, consistent and focused racing and the willingness to never give up.  We do compete with the other teams and the 42^nd edition demonstrated the quality of our sport," summarized head coach Jim Brower.
 
"There is nothing like it.  And this year added a significant chapter for our athletes," concluded coach Matt Normile.