Poland and Canfield dominate girls honors

Four Bulldogs and three Cardinals earned top performance recognition.
MEGHAN LINNELLI
School/grade: Canfield, seniorStatistics/accomplishments: Set nine school records; set two Northeast Aquatics Conference records and earned swimmer of the meet honors at the NEAC championship; set three Valley Swim Conference records.Name a person who has been a positive influence in your athletic career: My family. My parents have never missed one of my swim meets and they keep me positive. My sister is the best teammate I could ever ask for. She motivates me and pushes me in and out of the pool. I really admire her dedication and her work ethic.Best memory from this season: The NEAC championship meet because the girls team placed second. I set two records, our 400-yard freestyle relay placed first and at the end of the meet [Warren Harding senior] Nate King and I were named the meet's top swimmers.Something people don't know about you or would be surprised to learn: I'm addicted to peanut butter.
BECKY BERTUZZI
School/grade: Warren JFK, seniorStatistics/accomplishments: School record holder in the 200 freestyle (1:56.75); placed fourth in 100 freestyle and fifth in the 200 freestyle at district meet, qualifying for state in both events.Positive influences: My mom and dad have always supported me and given me the opportunity to swim. They've come to almost all of my meets since I was 8. I also have to thank my training partner Alex Wilson. If it wasn't for Alex keeping me so positive during the season, I don't think I would be where I'm at right now.Best memory: Swimming the 200 freestyle at the district meet. As soon as I saw my time, I went crazy. Then when my friend told me I made it to the podium, I went even crazier. After that swim, the pressure was off and making it to the podium again in the 100 freestyle was just icing on the cake.Surprised to learn: I have a very extreme shoe fetish. Especially with Dr. Martens. I probably have at least seven pairs of them, but at least I won't have to buy shoes in college!
RAEANNE COPPOLA
School/grade: Poland, seniorStatistics/accomplishments: Finished eighth at state tournament to earn all-Ohio honors as member of 200 freestyle relay, which also placed sixth at district meet; four-time state qualifier.Positive influences: My parents have always believed in me and supported me through everything. Mrs. Queen and Beth, who has the biggest heart of anyone I know, have also done everything they could to help us succeed. I would also like to thank Coach O for his help and support.Best memory: Arriving at the district meet in a limo definitely sticks out in my mind.
HEATHER GILMOUR
School/grade: Howland, sophomoreStatistics/accomplishments: Set four individual school records and was a member of record-breaking 200 freestyle relay; state-qualifier.
Positive influence: My mom. She was the person to first get me into swimming. She had me swimming before I could even walk. She is always at my meets and really cares how I do.Best memory: The state meet was really amazing. The atmosphere at that meet is so different. Qualifying for states was a goal of mine that I did not expect to accomplish until my junior or senior year. It was great to go as a sophomore and get the experience. Recently, I found out I was the first girl in Howland history to go to the state meet.Surprised to learn: I have been interested in going into the U.S. Marines after high school.
ASHLEY LINNELLI
School/grade: Canfield, juniorStatistics/accomplishments: Set school records in 100 fly, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay; won four events at Valley Swim Conference meet; district qualifier.Positive influence: My sister, Meghan, has been my most positive role model. She always encourages me to do my best and she sets the perfect example of what a champion should be. She never stops believing in me and that's why I am the swimmer I am today.Best memory: The NEAC meet because the girls team finished second. Also, our girls' 400 freestyle relay placed first for the second straight year. It was such a fun and exciting meet because our team really pulled together.Surprised to learn: I like taking yoga classes.
AUDRIE PLANT
School/grade: Poland, seniorStatistics/accomplishments: Finished eighth at state tournament to earn all-Ohio honors as member of 200 freestyle relay, which also placed sixth at district meet; four-time state qualifier.Positive influences: My mom (my No. 1 fan), my dad, Mrs. Queen and Coach Beth. They have constantly supported me and motivated me.Best memory: Making T-shirts and dyeing our hair.
KELLY REESE
School/grade: Canfield, sophomoreStatistics/accomplishments: Two-time state diving qualifier, placing 10th at state meet this season; placed third at district meet, second at sectional meet and first at NEAC meet.Positive influence: Jon Donadee. He kept me motivated, mostly at the end of the season, and made me want to do better than I was.Best memory: Doing well at the district meet and qualifying for state again.Surprised to learn: I don't like to get in the pool every day, especially during the winter.
HAYLEY ROBINSON
School/grade: Boardman, sophomoreStatistics/accomplishments: Two-time state qualifier, placing 12th at state this season; placed seventh at district and second at sectional meet.Positive influence: My sister, Shelby. She comes to most of my meets to cheer for me and called me at state because I couldn't come. She has always pushed me to do my best and I look up to her.Best memory: Looking at the clock at state and seeing my season-best time of 1:07.44.Surprised to learn: I wrote my first "legal" contract when I was 6. Since then, I've always hoped to be an attorney.
ELIZABETH ROTHENBERG
School/grade: Poland, juniorStatistics/accomplishments: Finished eighth at state tournament to earn all-Ohio honors as member of 200 freestyle relay, which also placed sixth at district meet.Positive influences: My parents. They've always been there for me to cheer me. My biggest cheerleader is Jim. I'd also like to thank my coaches for being there for me.Best memory: The bus rides to and from practice were always enjoyable.Surprised to learn: I want to become an architect.
CAREY VENGLARCIK
School/grade: Poland, seniorStatistics/accomplishments: Member of 200 freestyle relay that placed eighth at state meet; placed first in 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly at Valley Swim Conference championship; swam personal best of 24.90 in 50 freestyle split of 200 freestyle relay.Positive influences: Ian Syphard. Whenever I'm in a rut or just feeling down, he knows how to motivate me and make me smile. Also, Kristen Payne. She's my inspiration and motivation.Best memory: It's a close call between all the drama on the way home from the sectional meet or swimming some of my best times at the MAC meet even after going through several pieces of peppermint gum, candy canes, cough drops and spending close to 30 minutes hovering over a sink while hot water was running with a towel over my head trying to make myself unsick.Surprised to learn: I know how to belly dance.
COACH OF THE YEAR
ANDREA LINNELLI
School/years as coach: Canfield, fourth yearStatistics/accomplishments: Canfield girls won 11 of 14 meets, while boys team went 9-5. Girls won Valley Conference championships; boys were runners-up. Canfield swimmers broke five Valley Conference records and 18 school records. Girls team finished second at NEAC meet. Five swimmers and two divers qualified for state meet.Positive influences: So many individuals have had a positive influence on my coaching career. My family, friends, swimmers and especially the athletic department at Canfield High School and other coaches from many different sports at Canfield.Best memory: The Valley Swim Conference championships. It was a very exciting meet. Everyone swam their best and the girls team won for the third straight year and the boys team placed a very close second. The team captured 13 first place titles and five league records. It was a total team effort!Surprised to learn: It is not the winning that counts, but how well my swimmers do individually. You are a winner if you have given your best for the team.