The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Boys swimming watch list
SWIMMERS AND DIVERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order) Ethan Banks, University: A distance freestyle hammer, this senior, a returning two-time firstteam News-Herald all-star and Dartmouth signee, should contend for a Division II 500 free state title with his deep sub-4:35 potential. John Byrne, Hawken: An invaluable relay component for the Hawks, this senior free standout could be a D-II 200 free podium threat if he can get deeper into the 26s on his third split coming home, and sub-47s could be there in the 100 free as well. Spencer Bystrom, Beachwood: Between his deep skill set in diving, the 100 backstroke and on the Bison’s relays, there isn’t a better area jack-of-all-trades than this senior, who was third in D-II state diving and should vie for a Day 2 100 back swim in Canton. Isaac Esposito, Hawken: An ‘A’ finalist two years ago as a sophomore in D-II 100 butterfly, placing fifth, this senior and trusted 200 medley relay performer has sub-51 fly ability and will eye redemption after taking 16th last year at state in the event. Owen Hanna, University: One of the top backstrokers in area lore, this senior and North Carolina State signee is a technical clinic with his broad wingspan, and a low-49 100 back at state with sub-24 threat on his opening 50 to contend for a state title is within reach. Charles Marshall, Riverside: After missing much of his junior campaign due to a foot injury, this senior, who has been a program redefiner in Painesville Township, is an outstanding backstroker, is highly capable in individual medley and will lead one more state charge for the Beavers’ vaunted 200 free relay. Caleb Peters, University: This senior and returning second-team N-H all-star and two-time ‘B’ final winner last year in Canton could prove key to another state team title run for the Preppers with his big-swim ability in the 200 IM and 100 breast, the latter in which he and Cal Ritzmann are a dynamic 1-2 punch. Alex Podrez, Hawken: Probably this area’s most impressive freshman on the boys side last winter, this Hawks’ sophomore has a limitless ceiling in the 200 IM, which could push for 1:53 and maybe beyond, and the 500 free, which could very well be low-4:40s when it’s all said and done. Kyle Silver, Riverside: Deservedly earning his first career individual D-I state berth in the 100 fly given the trajectory of his work a year ago, this senior and 2018 firstteam N-H all-star has another strong campaign left in him not only in that event but also on the Beavers’ talented relays. Nick Tekieli, University: A new addition in Hunting Valley, this junior home-schooler is making his high school swimming debut and should be a handful for US in the 100 back and 200 IM.
MEETS TO WATCH
Viking Invitational (Dec. 8 at Cleveland State), Ned Reeb Invitational (Dec. 8 at Ohio State), SPIRE Winter Invitational (Dec. 15), Hilltopper Invitational (Dec. 22 at SPIRE), WRC meet (Jan. 5 at SPIRE), Orange Invitational (Jan. 5), Perry Invitational (Jan. 12), Northeast Classic (Jan 12), CVC meet (Jan. 19 at Hawken), NCL meet (Jan. 26 at Gilmour)
CANNONBALLS
• University has aspirations for another Division II state team title with the quality back in Hunting Valley. Banks and Hanna rightfully get a lot of plaudits for their quality, but the depth is impressive with Peters, Ritzmann, fellow returning N-H all-stars Frank Applebaum, Will Zhang and Jeffrey Chi and newcomers Tekieli and John O’Brien, who transferred in from Hawken. • West Geauga is under new stewardship this winter. Debbie Diadiun, who commendably guided the program for more than 20 years as a volunteer coach, stepped down after last season. Coming in to be a co-head coach for the Wolverines is Mario Gerhardt, also West G’s coach and Ohio’s all-time winningest coach in boys soccer. Gerhardt is a noted Masters Division swimmer and competed in breaststroke in his high school days at Shaw. Gerhardt will coach the Wolverines with Lisa Porter. • Villa Angela-St. Joseph, after having no boys swimmers last winter, will have representation this fall with freshman distance freestyler Thomas Ridler. Ridler is the son of former North, South and St. Ignatius coach Jeff Ridler. • Given how difficult it is perennially to get area swimmers to ‘A’ finals and the top 10 at the Division I Cleveland State District, it should be noted one area standout who could have a good chance for both in the 100 back is Kenston senior Billy Glime. Glime was second at the D-I SPIRE Sectional and a solid 11th at district. He’ll need to cut into the 25s on his opening 50s by February, but a cut of a little more than a second might be doable. • With the recent graduations of Mark Silver and Colin Shambaugh, Riverside will have to find a fourth relay leg to make another state charge. Marshall and Kyle Silver are seasoned standouts, and Edgar Kokos has shown promise in the first half of his career. But for the 200 free relay, for example, the Beavers will need to find a fourth leg with at least low-23 potential. • Speaking of relays, expectations will be high at Beachwood after getting an all-underclassmen quartet to the D-II state ‘A’ final in the 200 free relay and also getting to Canton in the 200 medley relay in 2018. Bystrom is a hammer, but senior Noah Shore and juniors Gabe Colmenares and Matthew Keyerleber showed growth against tough competition when it counted in February.