Mooney’s Joe Boniface advances to state swim meet

Staff report

CLEVELAND

Cardinal Mooney’s Joe Boniface finished second in the 50-yard freestyle at Saturday’s Division II district swim meet at Cleveland State, becoming the only area athlete to earn an automatic berth to next week’s state meet.

Boniface finished in 21-68, just behind Hunting Valley University School’s Russell Stack (21.06). Boniface also placed sixth in the 100 backstroke.

The top two in each event advance to the state meet at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium, while 16 others will earn at-large bids statewide based on times from Ohio’s four districts.

Canfield sophomore Daniel Bogen was third in the 200 freestyle behind Gates Mills Hawken’s Micah Simpson (1:42.07) and Walsh Jesuit’s Ben Boshkos (1:47.03), helping the Cardinals place an area-best fifth in the team standings.

Bogen also placed sixth in the 100 free and was a member of the fourth-place 200 free relay, joining freshman Connor Brady, junior Nicholas Montalto and senior Mark Dalvin.

Bogen, Montalto and Dalvin joined sophomore Michael DiDomenico in finishing fourth in the 400 free relay. Brody was fifth in the 100 butterfly.

Ursuline’s John Tomko finished fifth in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle.

Hubbard’s Joseph Spurio placed sixth in the 100 butterfly.

On the girls side, Youngstown Christian’s Mikayla Morrow placed fifth in the 100 breaststroke. She was the only area girl to place in the top six.