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SWIMMING Venglarcik, O'Halloran look to build on success

By Mark w. Miller

Friday, December 21, 2001


Sisters Meghan and Ashley Linnelli will lead Canfield.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
A Division II state champion and several state qualifiers will try to earn berths for the 2001-02 state swimming championships at Canton McKinley High Natatorium in February.
The Valley Swim Conference, gaining in stature and confidence, has many swimmers and divers with the potential to reach state.
Junior Carey Venglarcik, a 2001 Div. II state champ in the 100-meter backstroke (58.71 seconds), is the top performer back at Poland High.
She is also one of the area's top swimmers in the 200 individual medley.
Two-time state qualifier junior Meghan Linnelli is back at Canfield and competes in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.
Sister Ashley Linnelli participates in the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley.
Canfield's Kelly Reese has the top effort in 1-meter diving, having scored 203.40 points.
Becky Bertuzzi of Warren JFK is the athlete to beat in the 500 freestyle and she also competes in the 200 freestyle.
Boys: Junior Tyler O'Halloran, who holds five Boardman records, qualified for state last year in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Warren Harding junior Nathan King, who set a school record in the 100 backstroke (53.10 seconds) at the recent Viking Invitational at Cleveland State University, qualified for state in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.
He was also a member of the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. The team set a school mark at state in the 200 medley.
Matt Zuzik, who placed fifth last winter at state in 1-meter diving, is back at Canfield. Junior John Sinsheimer gives Canfield a veteran performer in the 100 backstroke, 100 and 500 freestyle events.
Top individuals: Athletes whose schools don't have teams must participate in two sanctioned USA swimming meets to be allowed to compete in sectional meets.
Seven athletes -- four from Ursuline -- are trying to earn spots in the Div. II tournament.
Swimming for the Irish will be: Mandy Moore, freestyle races and 100 butterfly; Leah Detech, sprint freestyle events; Sean Simon, sprint freestyle and backstroke; and Matt Bellaria, sprint events.
Senior Rachel Feurtado, a veteran Mooney swimmer who qualified for state in two races last year, brings three years of experience into USA swim meets.
Junior Sara Schaefer of Niles will compete in the distance races, while Western Reserve's Alex Wilson competes in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle.
USA swim meets will be contested in Cleveland, Canton and Akron.