Elliott, Mathews repeat as champs
CANTON — Champions from the previous year are treated like royalty at the Division I state swimming meet, but that also means there are more than 2,500 sets of eyeballs fixated on their every stroke in an effort to repeat.
Dakota Elliott of Upper Arlington and Jason Mathews of Westerville North thrived under that scrutiny during their final high school swims Saturday night inside hot, deafening Branin Natatorium.
Elliott blazed a personal best in winning the 200-yard individual medley in 1:58.78, and Mathews also won a second straight gold medal in taking the 100 breaststroke in 54.76.
The 200 IM tilted in Elliott’s favor when she moved from third place to first during the third leg, the breaststroke.
“I knew if I was with the competition at the 100 that I would be in good shape because I could really push the breaststroke, and that’s when everyone tends to fall off,” she said. “When I saw I was ahead, I said, ‘Dakota, you’ve just got to get it home.’ I couldn’t feel anything. My body was dead.”
Elliott’s other goal was to go under two minutes. She swam 2:00.05 in winning the district title.
“That was a big drop for Dakota, and for somebody as fast as her, it was huge,” UA coach Dan Peterkoski said.
There was more success for Elliott when she placed second in the 500 freestyle in 4:52.78.
Mathews couldn’t stop smiling about his victory. He also finished third in the 200 individual medley in 1:50.43.
“There was a lot of excitement because of the atmosphere,” Mathews said. “This is something special — it’s something we all strive for. It’s just a blessing to be able to race with these guys. It was a lot of hard work. This means a lot to me. It wasn’t the time I was hoping for, but I’m still really happy with it.”
Lancaster senior Olivia Schmelzer wept for minutes after winning the 100 freestyle in 49.51 in her final high school race. Last season, she finished fourth in the 50 freestyle and third in the 100. She started out Saturday night with a third-place finish in the 50 in 23.14.
“It was all the years of buildup of having pushed it and not getting it, and I pushed so hard tonight,” she said. “I said, ‘I’m going to get this one
— I have to show all the training with the coaches and the girls was worth something, that we didn’t put in this work for nothing. It was nerve-racking — scary.”
Dublin Jerome raced stroke for stroke with legendary giant Cincinnati St. Xavier in earning a dead heat with the Bombers in 1:23.36 for the gold medal. Celtics anchor Max Scott went from third place to first.
“This was the third time this season we swam next to (Xavier), and the first time it didn’t go so well,” third-leg swimmer Elek Kayuha said. “We built confidence. As the season went along, we knew what we could do, and knew we could go fast. We didn’t try to let things play in our minds, but to just go for it. We talked about this being a memory for the rest of our lives.’’
Dublin Coffman freshman Ellie Andrews finished second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:01.09, but she had the crowd buzzing because she set the pool, meet and state record with champion Hannah Bach of Brecksville (1:00.75). Janessa Mathews of Westerville North was third in 1:01.60.
“I just wanted to take it as far as I could,” Andrews said. “Usually when I have fast times, I’m not really thinking, I’m swimming. But I felt pretty good. I didn’t think I was going to go that fast. I’m kind of in shock.”
Two others from the Columbus area finished second: Rachel Peroni of Olentangy Liberty in the 100 butterfly (54.68) and Eddie Michael of Coffman in the 100 freestyle (44.92).
Ben Kuriger of Olentangy was third in the 200 freestyle (1:34.90) and 100 butterfly (47.93).
“It’s bittersweet,” Kuriger said. “I came into this meet with high expectations, high aspirations and big goals, and the end result was fast swims without the state title I was shooting for. I’m by no means disappointed.”