Submitted article
The Galion swimmers did shine in the District with a perfect performance from all of the swimmers.
Eli Skaggs qualified for two events at the State Swimming Championships at Canton, OH. Eli qualified in the 50 freestyle with a second place finish in 22.01. He also qualified in the 100 yd butterfly, breaking his own team record, with a time of 53.29. Eli will swim Thursday and Friday at Canton McKinley High School at 5:00 p.m.
Three of the men’s relays placed at the District meet. The 200 free relay with the following swimmers; Eli Skaggs, Landon Rose, Clay Karnes, and Sam Rigdon, placed 7th and just missed the cut to qualify for the state meet with season best time of 1:33.04. The 200 medley relay with the following swimmers; Eli Skaggs, Luke Eisnaugle, Sam Rigdon, and Lucas Conner swam to a season best time of 1:47.97 and placed ninth. The 400 free relay with the following swimmers; Landon Rose, Lucas Conner, Luke Eisnaugle, and Chad Karnes swam to a season best time of 3:40.31, placing 14th in the meet. Lead off swimmer, Landon Rose set a personal best time of 53.38.
Clay Karnes swam the 500 freestyle and placed 13th in 5:24.51; Clay swam to an 18th place finish in the 100 butterfly in a season best time of 58.67. Sam Rigdon placed 16th in the 50 freestyle with a season best of 23.26 and placing 17th in the 100 freestyle with a season best of 52.31. Landon Rose swam the individual 100 freestyle in a season best time of 54.17 and placing 25th. He later swam another personal best in the free relay. Landon also placed 20th in the 200 freestyle with a season best of 1:58.58. Lucas Conner placed 26th in the 200 freestyle in a season best time of 2:02.90. Lucas placed 26th in the 500 freestyle with a season best time of 5:39.49. The men’s team placed 12th with 86 points out of 66 teams in the meet.
The Lady Tigers continued the spirit swimming their season best time of 1:48.88 in the 200 free relay with the following swimmers; Bri Wallis, Elise Barnhart, Sari Conner, and Allison DeNero and placing 19th. Allison Denero placed 18th in the 100 butterfly in 1:06.03. She was 23rd in the 200 Individual medley with a season best time of 2:26.75. Bri Wallis swam a season best time in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:53.30 and placing 23rd in the meet. Bri also swam a season best 200 freestyle in 2:11.61 and placing 31st.
“In my 23 years coaching at Galion, this District meet rates as one of the best meets I have enjoyed coaching,” said Coach Ted Temple. “The swimmers swam well and had lots of time drop. Again, Galion is going to the State Meet.”