Boardman relay wins sectional swimming title

Staff report

AKRON

The Boardman girls 200 medley relay team took first place in the Division I swimming sectional meet on Saturday.

With the first-place finish, the Spartans advance to the district tournament Friday at Cleveland State.

Members of the winning team were Gaby DeAscentis, Brooke Bailey, Emily Bodamer and Colleen Manning. Their time was 1 minute, 53.36 seconds.

In the 100 butterfly, Emily Thirion of Warren Harding placed second (58.81) to also advance.

North Canton Hoover won the team title with 276 points, trailed by Boardman (third, 187), Canfield (fifth, 154) and Harding (eighth, 125).

The top two finishers in each event automatically qualify for the district. In addition, 16 relays and 42 swimmers will earn at-large berths.

In Division II competition, Mooney freshman Taylor Tofil placed first in the 100 butterfly (1:02.55) and fourth in the 100 back (1:06.46). Mooney freshman Annie Boniface placed second in the 100 backstroke (1:06.21) and fifth in the 100 free (57.97).

Mooney’s 200 medley relay place third in 2:01.66.

The top two in each event automatically advance, with 24 at-large swimmers and 14 relays.

Diving

Canfield sophomore Ally Chiu placed 12th at the Division I sectional diving meet at Akron on Wednesday, earning a berth in next week’s district meet at Cleveland State.

Warren Harding sophomore Corey Butts also advanced to the district meet by finishing eighth.

Boardman freshman Lily Testa placed 19th out of 50 divers, missing a district berth by three spots.

Poland junior Celia Melillo and freshman Nicolette Kreatsoulas will also compete in Thursday’s district meet in Cleveland. There was no Division II sectional.