Central swimmers compete with district’s best
Proving again it has a program in the upper echelon of Central Ohio, the Westerville Central boys and girls swimming and diving teams let their presence be known at the Division I district meet at Ohio State Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18.
The boys took fourth place, scoring 148 points, finishing behind Upper Arlington (435), St. Charles (336) and Dublin Jerome (170).
“We were really happy with the boys,” coach Ron Staab said. “We planned it so we could shoot (to advance) in all three relays. It took a couple of guys, Dan (Fay) and Gabe (Whitaker) in particular, only swimming one (individual) event, but it worked out positively.”
All three relays did advance to the state meet in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:26.85), the 400 free relay (3:14.48) and the 200 medley relay (1:36.88).
Fay, a senior, advanced in the 100 butterfly (52.18), while Whitaker, a freshman, moved on in the 50 free (21.20).
“We got two automatic bids (in relays) and in the Central District, that’s huge,” Staab said. “You’re up against some strong teams. There’s a lot of tough competition and to come out with that was huge for us.
“Gabe’s seeded sixth (in the 50 free) and he’s a freshman. To throw down a 21.20 as a freshman, there haven’t been a lot of freshmen do that in the last 20 years.”
The girls finished fifth with 153 points, behind UA (522), Watterson (213), Thomas Worthington (213) and Dublin Coffman (154).
“We’re equally happy with the girls,” Staab explained. “To come out second in the 200 free relay (1:38.07) was huge for us.
“We were third in the 400 free relay (3:33.74). One of those is automatic and even the one that wasn’t, we’re still in the top 10 (going in).”
Also advancing was senior Taylor Schwartz in the 100 backstroke (58.39), junior Sally Thompson in the 100 free (52.94) and sophomore Alex Schuttinger, also in the 100 free (53.11).
Schwartz and Fay will be joined by fellow seniors Atticus Jordan and John Whittaker, who’ll both swim in relays, as competitors who’ll be competing in their final prep meets.
“It’s bittersweet for them,” Staab said. “They don’t want to go, but they can put a fun finish to their high school careers. They’ve been integral parts since Day 1.
“Taylor is the first girl I’ve coached to the state meet all four years. She’s doing well for us.”
Schwartz has signed a letter of intent to compete at Gardner-Webb University beginning next fall.
The D-I state meet is to be held at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium beginning with preliminaries Friday, Feb. 24, and ending with the finals Saturday, Feb. 25.
Boys basketball
Central (10-10, 7-7 OCC Cardinal) pulled to the .500 mark in both the league and overall with a 57-47 home win over Jerome Feb. 17.
Max Shawver, Christian Graves, Jared Edens and Eric James each scored 11 points.
The Warhawks are to take on Logan in the first round of the D-I sectional-district tournament at Jonathan Alder Feb. 24, at 7:45 p.m.
A win would put Central against either Westerville South or Teays Valley at Alder Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 7:45 p.m.
