thedutchman
12-01-10, 07:53 AM
Here's a preview of StX:
No. 32 WON'T BE EASY FOR AQUABOMBERS By Tony Meale tmeale@communitypress.com
When your swimming program has won 31 state championships – including 18 in the last 21 years – it’s easy to take titles for granted.
But St. Xavier High School head coach Jim Brower doesn’t – and he knows this year, like most years, isn’t going to be easy.
“If we had to suit up and compete today, we’re definitely not where we need to be,” Brower said. “We have a nice mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores, but typically you win (state titles) with seniors. We’ll have our hands full competing with Toledo St. Francis.”
Yes, the same Toledo St. Francis team that was projected to win the Division I State Swimming and Diving Championships last February. St. X edged the Knights 228-218 to win its 11th state title in the last 12 years.
“They have everybody back,” Brower said. “Of the 20 swimmers we took to state last year, we lost 12.”
Included among the departed dozen are Alex Miller, who won a state championship in the 500 freestyle and was runner-up in the 200 free, and Sam Lipari, who had top-three finishes in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.
The 2010-11 Bombers will be equal parts experience, equal parts upstart.
Among the returners with state-meet experience are seniors Gabe Baumgartner of West Chester Township, Robert Lawley of Symmes Township, Matt Montague of Anderson Township and Ryan Haas of Fort Mitchell; juniors Andrew Brower of Pleasant Ridge, John Galvin of West Chester and Gabe Rapp of Wyoming; and sophomore Ian Wooley of Maineville.
“We’re counting on eight to 10 guys in addition to the eight returners we have,” Brower said. “It’s not likely we’ll have any freshmen in our final lineup. We’re pretty solid in the other three classes.”
St. X figures to be strong in every event except the 50 and 100 free. As for an individual state title, Brower will have to wait and see.
“Based on projections from last year, we may not have that caliber of swimmer,” he said. “Our best chance is probably the 100 fly with Ian Wooley or Gabe Rapp.”
Also returning is senior diver Joseph Lutz of Madeira, who finished 21st at state last year.
The Bombers host the GCL Championships Feb. 2 and the sectional meet Feb. 12, with the district meet slated for Feb. 19 at Miami University.
According to the St. Xavier website, the Bombers have won the GCL every year since 1960 and a district title every year since 1969.
The state championships will be Feb. 23-26 at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
“We’re going to work real hard to put the kids in position to win individual state titles,” Brower said.
Of course, team title No. 32 would be nice as well.
More Southwest District News is at http://cincinnati.com/blogs/presspreps/tag/ohswimprev/
No. 32 WON'T BE EASY FOR AQUABOMBERS By Tony Meale tmeale@communitypress.com
When your swimming program has won 31 state championships – including 18 in the last 21 years – it’s easy to take titles for granted.
But St. Xavier High School head coach Jim Brower doesn’t – and he knows this year, like most years, isn’t going to be easy.
“If we had to suit up and compete today, we’re definitely not where we need to be,” Brower said. “We have a nice mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores, but typically you win (state titles) with seniors. We’ll have our hands full competing with Toledo St. Francis.”
Yes, the same Toledo St. Francis team that was projected to win the Division I State Swimming and Diving Championships last February. St. X edged the Knights 228-218 to win its 11th state title in the last 12 years.
“They have everybody back,” Brower said. “Of the 20 swimmers we took to state last year, we lost 12.”
Included among the departed dozen are Alex Miller, who won a state championship in the 500 freestyle and was runner-up in the 200 free, and Sam Lipari, who had top-three finishes in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.
The 2010-11 Bombers will be equal parts experience, equal parts upstart.
Among the returners with state-meet experience are seniors Gabe Baumgartner of West Chester Township, Robert Lawley of Symmes Township, Matt Montague of Anderson Township and Ryan Haas of Fort Mitchell; juniors Andrew Brower of Pleasant Ridge, John Galvin of West Chester and Gabe Rapp of Wyoming; and sophomore Ian Wooley of Maineville.
“We’re counting on eight to 10 guys in addition to the eight returners we have,” Brower said. “It’s not likely we’ll have any freshmen in our final lineup. We’re pretty solid in the other three classes.”
St. X figures to be strong in every event except the 50 and 100 free. As for an individual state title, Brower will have to wait and see.
“Based on projections from last year, we may not have that caliber of swimmer,” he said. “Our best chance is probably the 100 fly with Ian Wooley or Gabe Rapp.”
Also returning is senior diver Joseph Lutz of Madeira, who finished 21st at state last year.
The Bombers host the GCL Championships Feb. 2 and the sectional meet Feb. 12, with the district meet slated for Feb. 19 at Miami University.
According to the St. Xavier website, the Bombers have won the GCL every year since 1960 and a district title every year since 1969.
The state championships will be Feb. 23-26 at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
“We’re going to work real hard to put the kids in position to win individual state titles,” Brower said.
Of course, team title No. 32 would be nice as well.
More Southwest District News is at http://cincinnati.com/blogs/presspreps/tag/ohswimprev/