SWIMMING ALL-STARS Area athletes make splash in pool and out

From conference competition to state-meet drama, area swimmers excelled.
BOYS
ROB FRANKLE
School/grade: Canfield, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Placed 22nd at the state meet, had an undefeated regular season, broke two school records. Northeast Aquatics Conference All-Star, first team All-MAC -- set two individual records and two relay records. Placed second in the 200 IM and third in 100 breaststroke at the sectional meet, placed sixth in the 100 breaststroke at districts, making first team all-district.
Name a person who has been a positive influence in your athletic career: My brother, Nick, because he has not only been a great training partner but one of my biggest supporters. He supported me doing the 100 breaststroke even though that is his favorite event and his best event.
Best memory from this season: At the district meet, my brother, Nick, and girlfriend, Abbey, were on deck psyching me up for the race and cheering me on. This is probably the biggest reason why I made it to state and did well at districts.
Surprised to learn: I want to go to school and swim with my brother at Ohio Northern University and study international business and/or accounting.
BRIAN KATZ
School/grade: Boardman, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Captain of the boys team, selected to the all-district team, All-Federal League All-Star team and student athlete, first team All-Federal League, all-sectional team, Northeast Aquatics Conference All-Star team, Northeast Aquatics Conference champion, academic All-American. Also earned his fourth varsity swimming letter and Who's Who in Sports recognition.
Positive influence: My coaches, Terry O'Halloran, Carlo Cordon and Greg McAtee, always believed in me and gave me the opportunities to shine; Tyler O'Halloran taught me what it took to be a great swimmer; my team for always believing in me and following me; most importantly, my family, which was always there for me, and they first got me into swimming.
Best memory: The senior meet against Canton McKinley, Kent and Warren Harding, when the meet came down to the final event. The close relay race came down to me, the last member of our relay, and I touched out the swimmer from Canton McKinley, which not only won the relay but the meet as well. Also, swimming at districts with a 100-degree temperature and still swimming my season's best times.
Surprised to learn: I knew how to swim before I could walk. I am also an athlete with Boardman's soccer and football programs. I trained this swim season 16 hours every week.
TYLER KING
School/grade: Warren Harding, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Sectional champion in 200 free and 100 back, NEAC champion in 200 free and 100 back, sixth-place finishes in 200 free and 100 back at districts.
Positive influence: My brother, Nate, who is a freshman at OSU, has been a great role model for me and a lot of other swimmers from this area because of his work ethic. He gives me training tips and helps me deal with pressure.
Best memory: At the NEAC Championships, I won both of my events with personal lifetime best times, and our relays really stepped up and swam well.
Surprised to learn: I'm a better basketball player than a swimmer.
CODY ROBSON
School/grade: Poland, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Placed third in the 200 IM and 100 fly at sectionals, placed 12th in the 200 IM (2:02.66) at districts, placed 14th in the 100 fly (54.25) at districts, placed first in the 100 fly at MAC championships, placed second in the 200 IM at MAC championships, received MAC All-League Award (first team).
Positive influence: As with many swimmers, my parents have had a strong influence on my athletic career. They transported me to practices, paid the monthly dues, attended all my swim meets and always encouraged me. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
Best memory: The district championships. I greatly improved my times. The excitement of the spectators, other swimmers and my friends made it a great experience.
Surprised to learn: I'm a computer nut. I spend a lot of my free time at the computer.
JON TEPSICK
School/grade: McDonald, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: 22nd in 500 freestyle at districts, 27th in 200 freestyle at districts. YMCA zone qualifier.
Positive influence: My parents because without their support, none of my accomplishments would have been possible.
Best memory: Our ceremony at Lake Erie after my last high school race.
Surprised to learn: I play bass guitar and was once in a band called "Basement Project."
GIRLS
HAYLEY ROBINSON
School/grade: Boardman, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Third at districts and 12th at state (three-time state qualifier). Northeast Aquatics Conference All-Star, first team Federal League, All-Ohio Award for the third time, Academic Excellence Award (3.77 GPA) and Swimming Excellence Award (top 25 times in 200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 fly, 100 free, 500 free and 100 breast). Individual school record holder in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. Also holds a record in the 400 free relay with her sister, Shelby Robinson, and fellow swimmers Kristen Lower and Sarah Grabert.
Name a person who has been a positive influence in your athletic career: My boyfriend, John, and my sister, Shelby. They have both supported me in many ways. Shelby would come back from college just to see me swim, and John always cheers me on.
Best memory from this season: Placing third at districts was amazing. I was excited when I saw my place. I missed a lot of this season, and I never thought I would place that well.
Surprised to learn: The longest I've ever been quiet is 2 1/2 minutes.
HEATHER GILMOUR
School/grade: Howland, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: District qualifier in 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, along with 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Sectional champion in 200 and 500 freestyle. School record holder in 50 free, 500 free and 400 and 200 free relays.
Positive influence: Charlie Lownes, one of my coaches. He is a great motivator and has encouraged me to excel in the water and out.
Best memory: Districts were really fun. Some of my swims were disappointing, but we had a big team going up to support each other. We had a fun time in the pool and out.
Surprised to learn: When I was younger, I never intended to take swimming seriously. I always wanted to play softball. Obviously, that has changed, and swimming has become one of my main forces.
CUBBEY LINNELLI
School/grade: Canfield, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Broke two school records and was given the Matt Kostelic Swim Memorial Scholarship Award. Was named All-District and first team All-MAC in the 100 fly, 200 IM, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay. Was an NEAC All-Star and NEAC champion in the 200 IM and 200 freestyle relay. Also a scholastic All-American.
Positive influence: My family. Ever since I was young, my parents have taught me the value of hard work. My sister, Meghan, has also taught me to push myself to achieve my goals. My sister really is my hero because I have never seen her give less than 100 percent in anything she does.
Best memory: The NEAC conference meet. My favorite memory of the meet occurred during our 200 freestyle relay because we all pulled together to win the relay by three-hundredths of a second. It was really exciting, and we all got to stand on the top of the podium.
Surprised to learn: I really like to go to country music concerts.
COACH OF THE YEAR
DEBBIE MANN
School: Howland, third year; also spent 16 in Oswego, N.Y.
Statistics/accomplishments: 7-2 girls record. Girls team placed second at sectionals for second consecutive season. Two relays and three individuals in five events qualified for districts. Five out of the 11 school records (200 medley relay, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 50 free, 500 free) were broken this season. 4-5 boys record; lost three meets by fewer than three points. Only eight boys on team.
Positive influence: Bill Lawson, my college coach, made a huge impact on me as a swimmer and as a person. He is the reason I am a coach today. He taught me a great deal about discipline, determination and motivation. He also taught me to believe in myself and how to set priorities.
Best memory: It's a bittersweet one. Last season we started what now is a tradition. After districts, we ran out onto one of the big piers onto Lake Erie and had a "little ceremony" of saying good-bye to the season and the seniors. It was bitterly cold, with the wind whipping, but we took lots of pictures before we ran back to the warmth of the van.
Surprised to learn: I love to do crafts. I'm not very talented at it, but I love to try.
Beaver Local senior Kara Hickman was selected for the all-star team, but she did not respond.