IN SPORTS: LODI SWIMMERS CRUISE
Maddie Woznick is pumped up this spring.
The Lodi High girls swimmer has set goals for this season. Now the results are paying off for the junior.
In Friday’s Tri-City Athletic League home meet against St. Mary’s, Woznick muscled her way to a combined three first place finishes. She won the 100 fly at 59.23 seconds, and second in the 100 backstroke also at 59.23.
Part of the 200 girls medley relay squad with teammates Gianni Pitto, Melissa Celli and Nicole Coon, Woznick and the Flames took first place at 1 minute, 56.59 seconds. The Lodi girls’ 200 freestyle team, which featured Woznick, Coon, Karley Bussman and Pitto, swam to a top finish at 1:46.58.
Having already earned a berth in 100 fly for the Sac-Joaquin Section trials and finals that will take place at Tokay’s swimming pool next month — the qualifying time is 1:03 or less — Woznick is focused on finishing strong in league dual meets. Woznick hopes that will carry over into the section meet and a return trip to the CIF State Swimming and Diving Championships.
“I’ve just been working a lot harder and been more motivated,” Woznick said. “Made sure to stay on top of it.”
Part of her workouts has included lifting weights twice a week before and during this current season.
“Along with my practices, six days a week,” Woznick said.
Lodi coach John Griffin added, “She’s getting stronger, a better core.”
Staying involved in two individual events, and a part of the Flames’ relay teams, helps keep Woznick even stronger.
“Get more of an interaction, a team feel,” said Woznick of the relay teams.
“It gives me a nice combo to make sure I can swim at my best.”
Coon, a senior, earned a qualifying time in the section’s trials and finals meet at Friday’s meet against the Rams. In the 50 freestyle, she won at 26.22 and captured the 100 freestyle at 58.14 seconds. The section’s qualifying time in the latter event is an even 57 seconds.
Pitto, another senior who like Woznick competed in the CIF State Meet last spring, won the 100 breaststroke at 1:08.35. According to Griffin, Pitto has never lost the event in a league meet since the start of her high school career.
In addition, Pitto won the 200 individual relay at 2:12.34. She already had the qualifying time for the section’s trials and finals in both of the events she won.
“She dominated both of them,” said Griffin of Pitto’s two individual races.
St. Mary’s barely beat the Flames in the girls’ meet, 100-83. For the boys, Lodi posted a 109-71 victory over the Rams.
Winners for the Lodi boys were Aidan Scott, who won the 200 IM at 2:01.01 and the 100 backstroke at 56.53. Sam Griffith was also a double winner in the 500 freestyle at 1:53.19. Rylan Stevenson, only a freshman, won the 100 freestyle at 49.05 and second in the 50 freestyle at 22.18.
Next Friday, Lodi closes out league action at cross-town rival Tokay. Both programs will also be taking part in a towel drive. People who will be attending the meet are encouraged to bring new and slightly used towels that will be donated to The Salvation Army.