Joy for Venglarcik, heartbreak for Canfield

Most high school athletes have to wait until their junior or senior year to make their mark in a sport. But for one Poland Seminary High School sophomore, fame came in the finals of this year's state swimming championship meet.
In 2000, when she was only a freshman, Carey Venglarcik, placed third in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 59.47. This year, she trimmed .76 seconds off her time to place first in 58.71 -- the first Poland swimmer to win a state title.
That's quite an achievement, especially considering that the school does not even have its own swimming pool. Venglarcik attributes her success to her competitive spirit, the squats and shoulder exercises that strengthened her muscles and an improved, healthier diet set up with the help of her coach, Beth Gargasz.
Co-captain: Venglarcik is also one of the Poland swim team's co-captains. "It's unusual to put a 10th grader as a captain," said Gargasz. "But because she's such a positive force, kids look up to her." Quite a tribute to such a young woman -- and to her parents.
There was not much joy, however, in Canfield over the weekend, after the Canfield High girls basketball team came up short in its bid to be first in the state.
Still, for a team that got off to a rough start -- losing four league games -- coming home with silver medals represents unanticipated accomplishment. And with all but two seniors returning next year, the Cardinal girls have a lot to look forward to.