43
Valley competitors set to swim, dive at state
Spartans, Cardinals
among competitors
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The Division I and II state swimming and diving championships begin today with individuals from seven area teams set to take part at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium.
Division II boys diving preliminaries kick off the competition at 9 a.m. while Division II girls diving preliminaries take place at 2 p.m.
Swimmers from Austintown Fitch, Boardman and Warren Harding in Division I, Canfield and Crestview and divers from East Palestine and Jefferson in Division II are chasing state championships.
Currently in his 31st season at the helm of the Boardman’s boys program, Terry O’Halloran will coach four swimmers in five events with the hopes that they can add to an already impressive list of four state individual champions.
His son Tyler O’Halloran was a three-time champion in 2002-03 and 12-time collegiate All-American at the University of Texas, and Ryan Bailey a state champion in 2012.
This also marks the 17th consecutive year that the Spartans have produced a state qualifier.
“To qualify for state in Division I is a lofty goal as times just keep getting faster and faster,” O’Halloran said. “The state competition remains well-organized with plenty of excellent swimmers and divers, and some terrific head coaches ready to go.
“Ohio produces some of the top overall times nationwide and is very competitive with states like Texas and California, so expect the same at this year’s meet.”
Boardman will rely on the efforts of Callen Aulizia in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and Aaron DunLany in the 500 freestyle with Kyle Kimerer and Ethan Schwendeman set to join Aulizia and DunLany in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relay events.
Aulizia, a sophomore, is ranked higher in the 100 freestyle and enters competition seeded 10th overall, also ranking in the top three state-wide in terms of freestyle sprinters sophomore class or below.
DunLany “had a terrific sectional and was a pleasant surprise at district,” according to O’Halloran, shaving hard-earned seconds off the school record in order to qualify for state.
Kimerer and Schwendeman add depth for both relay teams, but it’s the 400 freestyle relay that has O’Halloran excited.
“All four swimmers absolutely demolished the school record in the 400 freestyle relay, knocking four and a half seconds off the mark,” he said. “All guys were under 50 seconds and had their best splits. None have ever been to state, so this will be a great experience for everyone.”
Canfield is pinning its state individual hopes on Matthew Bogen in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and Ben Brucoli in the 100 freestyle.
The Cardinals are also counting on Cullen Brady, Bogen, Alec Gaetano and Brucoli in both the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay, and Jared Rothbauer, Bobby Kutsch, Luke Bennett and Kamran Saranac in the 400 freestyle relay.
Bogen, a four-year letter-winner, is seeded 10th in the breaststroke and 17th in the freestyle event. Brucoli is seeded 22nd in the freestyle.
“Matthew was very impressive at district in that he dropped almost three seconds off his freestyle time while Ben dropped almost a second off his time in the freestyle,” Cardinals coach Brian Stahl said. “Our 200 freestyle relay placed third at district, is seeded sixth and dropped .97 off their time. All of our qualifying times are personal bests and that makes me excited. I told our guys to keep their foot on the gas pedal so I feel that they will be ready once the competition begins.”
Austintown Fitch’s Timmy Kubacki is set for the 200 individual medley and is seeded 18th. Michael Miller of Warren Harding will take part in the 50 freestyle and is a 15th seed.
“This will be my first trip to state so it’s a very exciting time for me,” Kubacki said. “It has been a fun season, especially in the All-American Conference. I know that I have put in the time and effort, so the key will be to swim as hard as I can and see what happens.”
Miller, a senior, is a four-year letterwinner for the Raiders and will be making his third state appearance.
“I started coaching Michael eight years ago and he is one the hardest workers that I have ever seen,” Warren Harding head coach Steve Lutko said. “He’s been part of the 200 freestyle relay team the last six years, has been pointing to this weekend and is ready to go.”
Crestview’s Rebekah Klem is the only area swimmer among Division II girls, and will take part in the 100 breaststroke. Divers Faith Anderson of East Palestine and Jefferson’s Sidney O’Donnell will represent the area.
“Faith is just a junior and is making her third trip to state, having finished 19th as a freshman and 15th as a sophomore a season ago,” diving coach Ron Navarra said. “She finished fifth at district, is seeded 10th at state and her strength is her mental toughness. This is a strong year for divers in Division II and the competition will be extremely tough, but as long as she stays calm and focused she will do well.”