DIVISION II

The annual “gaudy Hawken statistic” was not included in Cannonballs amid the season preview this year, but we’ll bring it back here: Of the 33 top-three seeds across all D-II girls district swimming events going into CSU, the Hawks have 20.

There isn’t much need to overly break down splits, what type of opening 50it will require and

Boys swimming district capsule hitting deep underwaters with the Hawken girls in district competition. The Hawks will wield the hammer, and all of Greater Cleveland knows it. Individual swims that could be particularly fun to check out from the powerhouse on County Line Road will be Jessica Eden (200 IM and 100 back), Tori Culotta (500free) and Sydney Bare (100breast). If Eden can show breaststroke improvement, at the level to which she’s been striving, a 2:03swim in IM is attainable. Culotta will turn in a work of art in 500free, and if it’s in the low-29on middle splits, she could push for 4:50. Bare will want a little more on the front end of her 100breast, at least in the low-30s, but will vie for a district crown. Speaking of 100breast, that should be one of the highlight finals of this meet. With Bare, teammate Lindsay Berlin,

Gilmour’s Cate O’Haimhirgin and West Branch’s Jamyson Robb all there, that could become a 1:03-type battle in a hurry. With O’Haimhirgin, arguably her biggest race key has always been hitting a sub-30 opener, which sets up her back half. Having gotten there twice already this winter will serve her well.

Keep an eye on the Lancers’ 200 medley relay as well, which has ramped up nicely throughout this season.

Among standouts from other area schools, Kirtland’s Kaley Ream (100fly and 500free), West Geauga’s Ashley Chase (100free), Beaumont’s 200 free relay and Perry’s Hope Kitchen (100back) could all be in the top-four mix as well. A 5:20from Ream at SPIRE in 500free is not at all concerning given her deep sub-5:10 ability and the pace the field will set in that final.