Top competitors reach for more in postseason meets
Jordan Aurnou-Rhees’ head popped out of the water and she fixed her eyes on the scoreboard after swimming the 200-yard individual medley at a meet in November at Miami University.
The sophomore at Columbus School for Girls thought that what she saw — a time of 2 minutes, 1.96 seconds, the fastest time in the nation in 2017 by a 15-year-old — was some sort of electrical malfunction.
“It was almost an out-ofbody experience going that fast,” Aurnou-Rhees said. “I touched the wall and looked at the clock and was in total disbelief. What that did for me was tell me that I could go even faster — that there was more out there.”
Jason Mathews, a senior at Westerville North, had similar thoughts last season when he won the Division I state 100-yard breaststroke in 54.91 seconds for Pickerington North.
“When you are swimming fast it goes by so quickly and you can’t wait to hit the touchpad,” he said. “For me, it’s inner peace. Going into the state meet, it’s time to do what you’ve been working on. You realize where you have come from and where you can go.”
Aurnou-Rhees and Mathews will be among the swimmers competing in the Central District championships this weekend at Ohio University. The Division II meet is Friday and the Division I meet is Saturday.
CSG is aiming for a fifth straight district title, and a lot rests on the shoulders of Aurnou-Rhees. She also will swim the 100 butterfly and legs of the 400 and 200 freestyle relays.
Coach Stephanie Donley said Aurnou-Rhees can handle the responsibility. She swam a leg on the Unicorns’ 200 freestyle relay last season that won the state title in record time.
“Jordan has grown as a person and as an athlete,”
Donley said. “She knows what she wants to do and where she wants to be. She’s stronger and better under water. She certainly has put the time in.”
The team concept spurs Aurnou-Rhees to pursue gold medals.
“That is a feeling I’ll never forget,” she said of the state championship relay. “You get on the podium and see the other teams next to you and then look at the crowd. I’m really excited about the district meet because the hard training is done. It’s about going hard and enjoying the experience.”
Mathews, who has signed with Ohio State, said swimming fast is a mental game. He will compete in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke in Athens.
“I have tried to stay humble and realize this is a blessing, that you can’t let things get into your head about what you’ve accomplished or the meaning of what you are doing will be lost,” he said. “You take ownership, and that’s practicing, competing, weight training, nutrition and rest.”
There was a time when Mathews questioned whether the work was worth it.
“I’ve been swimming for 12 years and putting in so much time, and I came to the conclusion that I’ve been given a gift and to compete at my best,” he said.
Mathews practices most often with the Ohio State Swim Club, but Westerville North coach Rich Morris knows why he is a champion.
“Jason is bigger and stronger and his breaststroke technique is unbelievable,’’ Morris said. “He has laser focus and knows what he wants to do and goes out and does it.”