DIVISION II

As always, the area contingent will not be lacking in trips to the top of the podium. With seven top seeds coming in from sectional competition, University should be encouraged by its points potential the next two weeks. It requires depth beyond wins, of course, but loading up firsts will go a long way.

US’ Nick Tekieli (200 IM and 100back), Colin Savage (50and 100free) and Frank Applebaum (200free and 100 fly) could all push for individual doubles at CSU. Provided he can go low-24 at the turn, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tekieli go for a sub-50in 100back. The front-half speed in this field from performers such as CVCA’s Josh Wodrich could get Tekieli to that level. In 200 IM, that could be a lot of fun with Tekieli and Hawken’s Alex Podrez and Connor Brown and could get sub-1:55again. Savage has been this area’s breakout performer of the winter with room to spare. His consistency in hitting 21s all year in 50 free has been enlightening. It will be fascinating to see what happens with Alliance’s dynamic sprinter Will Rose one lane over. A 50free final that could potentially flirt with sub-21s is, albeit quick, appointment viewing.

With Rose moving to 100 free, Applebaum’s primary CSU competition from a year ago is out of 100 fly. But the US senior could still hit a low-50 there, especially with his skill set and back-end pace.

And of course, the relays in Hunting Valley are pretty good as well.

Hawken, which will likely vie with US for the district team title, needs a big meet in distance free and from Podrez in 200 IM and 100 breast. Michael Butler has shown promise in 500 free and would probably like to be around 4:40headed into state, and Will Dietz will provide valuable swims and points in 200and 500free. Chagrin Falls’ 200 free relay quartet of John Cashy, Michael

Tropf, Parker Broz and Clark Reboul delivered a massive statement at SPIRE with their 1:29.07and a head-to-head win over US. Cashy is a hammer as the relay popper with sub-22ability, and a high-21 from Tropf would go a long way at CSU. With Reboul’s sub-21 skill on the anchor, the Tigers could go for a low-1:27. Cashy (100 fly and 100 back), Tropf (100breast) and Reboul (50 free) will be heard from as well individually. All in all, this affords Chagrin the chance to score well here, too. Among other area schools, it would be great to see a strong 50 free/100 fly back-to-back from Gilmour senior Matt Vanone. The overall quality of that 50free field could aid Vanone there and in taking momentum to 100fly for a sub-52possibly. It’s also nice to see some of Chardon’s young talent, including freshman Nathan Bender, junior Lachlan Koenen and relays, logging ‘A’ final swims and developing. Beachwood’s Gabe Colmenares should be a factor high on the podium in 100fly with his trajectory in the event this winter, and all three of the Bison’s relays are talented and experienced. NDCL’s Jonathon Ratka could vie for the top four in 100 back, which is outstanding for a ninth-grader in a tough event as he eyes his first state berth.