WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW:
SWimming
Ursuline looks to take . next step to state. title BY DAVE SCHUITE Enquirer contributor Finishing in the runner up spot at the state meet is a trend that the Ursuline swimming team plans to ~~·· break this season. .1' Three of the past five years, sec·"-1 ond year coach Tim Beerman's . ,.t. ".;;',,., .. lions have come up one spot short :,.. with Ursuline's only state champi~ ' ,'~..; --.~. onship corning in 1991. Based on the return of three state t .(P-" ~.~: ..~"\, ~ . . -~ -!.i~'. qualifiers, along with highly touted . ·;,;~ freshmen Tami Ransom and Lesley ,'·;';;;~~ >~'·( . ~ Meade, Ursuline's goal of winning it .;t.,._- ~~...... all appears realistic this season. As a result, the lions were voted No. 1 in The Enquirer's preseason . The Cincinnati Enquirer I Kevin J. Miyazaki poll, capturing seven of the 10 first place votes. · .St. Xavier's Reid Gustin practices his free style stroke as he prepares for the high school swim season. "The girls know they have the potential to continue finishing second or doing something to change it," coach Tim Beerman said. 'We certainly have the talent to contend with any team." Anderson returns six state qualiSeniors Reid Gustin, David ..,... 4. Anderson: Coach Ed but we will be hurt by a lack of pool fiers and was voted second with BY DAVE SCHl.JITE Sycamore, St Ursula and Oak Hills Hausladen and Paul Kitko are the Bachman is blessed with four time and depth in two events. Enquirer contributor rounding out the top five. most likely candidates, with the returning state qualifiers, along ~ 7. Walnut Hills: First year If ever there was a dynasty in Cincinnati Marlins coach Ken Ohio high school sports, it's the remainder of the veterans juniors with several vastly improved under coach Jamie Marcotte inherits an Stopkotte, who has tutored Ransom or sophomores. classmen. Eagle team that has depth, experi- and Meade the past five years, looks success of the St Xavier swimming If promising sophomores Brett Senior Joe Seither, (100 butter- ence and commitment but lack a for this freshman duo to make an team during the past 28 years. During this span, the Bombers Burns, Scott Ransenberg and fly), is one of the stalwarts along facility for practice. immediate impact. Returning state qualifiers Ian have won 20 state championships, James Stoffer step it up to the next with juniors Eric Foster (200 and 'Tami was named the MVP at the including an Ohio High School Ath- level, along with Paul Jacob, the 500 freestyle), Trevor Dumond Neubauer (100 breaststroke) and U.S. Junior Nationals this year," letic Association record 12 consec- defending state champion Bombers (100 breaststroke) and Jeff Atte- Phil Koontz (100 backstroke) are Stopkotte said. "She won the 100 berry (1 00 and 500 freestyle). expected to provide the leadership. and 200 backstroke and also particutive titles from 1970 through 1981. could win a 21st state title. ~ 2. Sycamore: The key to the ..,... 5. Oak Hills: Although ~ 8. Milford: Returning district ipated at the Senior Nationals." St. Xavier also finished in the r~nner up spot four times, failing to Aviators success is sophomore Dan senior freestyle specialist Matt qualifiers Roman Denu, Tom Megan Strasser (100 and 200 bring home either the champi- Ketchum, who was a part of eight Ense and junior diver Mike Kauf- Haushalter, Noah Randall, TJ, Raf- freestyle), Erin Phenix (50 and 100 man are the only state qualifiers, ferty, Chad Eveland, Chris lles and freestyle) and Barb Mulshine (200 onship of runner up trophy in 1986, school records in 1997. "Dan set the city on fire with his Highlander coach Michael Sean Reed are more than enough IM, 100 breaststroke), are Ursu1987, 1988and 1989. · As in past seasons, expectations performances last year," coach Nocheck predicts an outstanding to carry an Eagle team loaded with line's three returning state qualifiers depth and experience. should return again. are again high at St. X with coach Mark Sullivan said. "He can do it all season. 'This team will be strong in the ..,... 9. Lakota West: Despite Dave Coffman building the and could be one of the top swim"Our strengths are depth, great Bombers around nine returning mers to come out of Cincinnati in a individual medley and 500 freestyle splitting into two school, the Fire sprint speed, senior leadership, with depth in the sprint freestyle," Birds will field a strong team that strong relays and developing state qualifiers, along with three tal- longtime." Sullivan also points to Jed Dan- Nocheck said. "Diving will also be includes standouts Michael Hewitt, divers," Beerman said. "Our only ented sophomores. To no one's surprise, St. Xavier ner, Matt Hall and Neil Ford, along strong with Mike Kaufman back." Greg Lange, Kyle O'Hara, Nick weakness is in the 500 freestyle." ~ 2. Anderson: Simply put, the was the unanimous choice as in with diver Chris Boner, as those · ~ 6. La Salle: The Lancers will Rahlf, Eric Severson, Seth Sanborn have their best team in years with and BJ. Knudsen. Redskins are loaded with talent and The Enquirer's preseason poll with who will score well. Sycamore, Elder, Anderson and . ~ 3. Elder: With six returning seventh-year coach Mike Lienhart ~.10. Wyoming: Bart Henning depth. Oak Hills rounding out the top five. state qualifiers, the Panthers will be building around returning district and Jake Hodesh will be the cata- ~ Ed Bachman, who also ·coaches qualifiers Kevin Kampschmidt and lyst for a young Cowboy team that the Anderson Barracudas, has six · "Seven of the nine returning tough to handle. will feature five outstanding fresh- returning state qualifiers along with state qualifiers scored at the state Seniors Nathan Cron, Ryan Hey- IanLaseke. 'We have two good performers men including Eric Meyers, a wealth of young talent to build the meet," Coffman said. 'We took 13 ob and Dave Berting will be joined swimmers to state last year and by junior Greg Thomas and sopho- in every event," Lienhart said. 'We Michael Nellis, Brad McGlynn, team around. also have a strong freshman class Michael Lucks and Ben Appel. The state qualifiers are Stephanie we'd like 14 or 15 to go this season. more Joe Re. A;, ~ ~
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St. XavieiWOn't let up
The Cincinnati Enquirer I Kevin J, Miyazaki ;
St. Ursula's Jen Peters is one of the Bulldogs' three state · .,., qualifiers from a year ago. She qualified for state in both the '; 200 IM and 500 freestyle.
Wakefield (200 IM, 100 backstroke), Abby Wakeham (200 IM, 500 freestyle), Emily Tomes (100 butterfly), Sarah Keyes (200 freestyle), Kelly Huizenga (200 freestyle) and Nicci Fusaro (diving). ~ 3. Sycamore: The Aviators will field a team loaded with 11 freshmen along with returning state qualifiers lindsey Corrimons (50 and 100 freestyle), Mandy Commons (200 Individual Medley, 100 breaststroke) and Taylor Lynch (diver). 'We only have two seniors and we'll be very young," Sycamore coach Mark Sullivan said. "But, we11 have the most depth in some time and I'm confident we11 have a good season." ..,... 4. St. .Ursula: The loss of sophomore butterfly specialist Robin Ranz (shoulder surgery) could be a severe blow to a Bulldogs team that will be improved. However, the Bulldogs return state qualifiers Kim Ense (200 Individual Medley, 100 breaststroke), Erin Molnar (1 00 backstroke) and Jen Peters (200 IM, 500 freestyle). ..,... 5. Oak Hills: Apairofsopho- ·. mores, Tricia Rye and Lindsey Kroger, will team with junior DeborahJanssen,foraHighlandersteam that has the potential to challenge most teams. ~ 6. Mercy: Returning state qualifiers Lauren Griffith (50 and
100 freestyle) and Kristin Sander ·.· (100 butterfly) will be the catalysts for a Bobcat team that was unde- · feated in dual meets last season. ..,... 7. lakota West: Although . Lakota was split into two school '~ (East and west) this season for the"; first time, the Fire birds will field a··· strong team. Returning state qualifier Kate . Severson (50 freestyle) is one of 10"': outstanding simmers with Sara::; Mcintosh and divers liz Prebles and Darci Toussant also expected to score well. ~ 8. Milford: The Eagles outstanding swimming facility is finally starting to reap dividends with coach Gary Tameris returning sev- · ~ en district qualifiers. ·. · Julianne Curtis, Feliz Denu, Megan Haushalter, Sarah Kleinfel-.,.. ter, Kendall Nelson and Breanna" .· Wood will be the stalwart for an Eagle team that could be a factor. ·• ~ 9. Fairfield: Senior Beth •· Phillips is the only returning state :: qualifier for an Indian team that will .! be young and inexperienced. ..,... 10. Princeton: First year:\. coach Steve Glaser is optimistic·: about the season based on the · return of senior Erin Adamson, juniors Usa Gieseker, Morgan Joffe, . Jordan Mungin and Katie Reis, : alongwithagroupoftalentedfresh- _; men. ,: '
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