Well, it is official-Brent Ransom is the new coach of both St. Francis De Sales high school and Greater Toledo Aquatic Club. He has a coaching history with both programs and is taking over a high school program that has a ton of talent and untapped potential. Last year, St. Francis won the Northwest District and got 4th in the state with only 4 swimmers scoring at the state meet. Does his hiring change anything in the district and can this group give St. X a run for their money in Canton?
Northwet District
- Thread starter buckeyedr
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XSwimming1
New member
Who all does St. Francis have that could score points this year?
Last year, they had 3 seniors score individual points-Jack Barone in the IM and breast, Jack DiSalle in the 100 free, and Nick Brodie in the 50 free. They have 3 other seniors who were very close to getting to Canton. They have 3 juniors who should score this year in individual events. 2 qualified last year, but did not score. They have a couple of sophomores who can make it this year.
Their return all 4 from their medley relay team which finished 2nd in Canton this past year. (I think St. I graduated 2 of their 4 swimmers from the state championship medley relay.) They return 3 of 4 of their 200 free relay. Both of these relays could break the state record.
Even though they have another new coach, every one is very excited about training under Brent Ransom. Last year, the swimmers were not tapered effectively for the state meet, but all expect better results with Coach Ransom. Depending on how many swimmers step up for St. X, the Knights could give the Bombers a serious run for the title.
This seasons state meet might just be the most competitive in years. The top three from last year have lots of points and/or relay spots to replace. The next 7 spots were only separated by 24 points. Several of those 7 will be down as well this year. Centerville and Hoover look to be losing the most of those 7. Sycamore will be hurting losing Fry and Hudson will need help to give some support to Palazzo. Moeller should improve with George and Nymberg returning and having Hodge back on the team.
Buckeyedr, St Francis will have a shot at X however the depending on part will be on them and not so much on X. X will reload, though they will be down on points from last year. The question is going to be whether or not all those very close, should's and could's you mention will actually produce. The relays do return very nicely, however that was with 2 relays. That means several relay spots will need to make their marks to have all 3 get to the top. Which might not be to hard if the top guys are separated correctly. I'm always curious regarding the meaning behind tapers not being done correctly or effectively. It's a tough call these days for coaches for most swimmers. Taper for districts to make sure to get to states and potentially sacrifice better times at states, or taper for states and maybe not make it past districts. The only one that really sticks out for me regarding St F is Brodie not making it to state in the 100 Free. Is there more to it for St F that just Brodie for last year?
Buckeyedr, St Francis will have a shot at X however the depending on part will be on them and not so much on X. X will reload, though they will be down on points from last year. The question is going to be whether or not all those very close, should's and could's you mention will actually produce. The relays do return very nicely, however that was with 2 relays. That means several relay spots will need to make their marks to have all 3 get to the top. Which might not be to hard if the top guys are separated correctly. I'm always curious regarding the meaning behind tapers not being done correctly or effectively. It's a tough call these days for coaches for most swimmers. Taper for districts to make sure to get to states and potentially sacrifice better times at states, or taper for states and maybe not make it past districts. The only one that really sticks out for me regarding St F is Brodie not making it to state in the 100 Free. Is there more to it for St F that just Brodie for last year?
The year that St. Francis came the closest to beating X, they won all 3 relays and 2 individual titles. St. Francis had 6 individual swimmers swimming in finals and consolations. They would have had 7 if not for an auto accident the Wednesday before the meet. And, that was against X when they had some very high level talent. This year, they will not have the number of top level swimmers that they have had in the past. So, if any school is to beat them, they would need 6 swimmers (maybe 5 this year) swimming in at least one final with winning 2 relays and finishing in the top 3 of the other relay. St. Francis has 3 seniors that should be in the finals of both of their events and competing for the top spot, and they have 3 juniors who are ready to make their presence felt. They have 3 other seniors and a few other juniors and sophomores who can potentially get into a consolation heat.
You make great points about the taper. Last year, St. Francis was tapered for the district meet. It really was not a very good taper for most of the swimmers. That was mostly due to over-training, as all of the swimmers were trained the entire season like most swim teams train during the holiday season. All of the swimmers were trained the same (mostly as sprinters), which hurt the distance and stroke swimmers the most. Basically, the swimmers hit the wall in late January and their legs never recovered. This year, Coach Ransom has already talked about more technique training and everyone is looking forward to his training methods. The potential is there to get enough kids to Canton to get the job done, but as you are very aware coming from Upper, St. Francis just might be one swimmer short.
By way of perspective the last time StX lost the state meet (2008), St Charles had 11 swimmers in the state meet - 1 relay only swimmer & 10 individual qualifiers. Of those 10, 8 swam 2 events and the other 2 swam 1 event giving a total of 18 individual swims. The finishes were 8 in the top heat, 6 in the second heat & 4 swims were only in the prelims. St Charles won 2 of the 3 relays and finished 2nd in the other.
StX also had 11 swimmers in the state meet - 1 relay only swimmer & 10 individual qualifiers. Of those 10, 9 swam 2 events and 1 swam a single event giving a total of 19 individual swims. StX had 8 top heat finishes, 5 2nd heat finishes & 6 prelim only swims. StX finished first in 1 relay and 2nd in the other 2.
St Charles won the meet by 20 points.
StX also had 11 swimmers in the state meet - 1 relay only swimmer & 10 individual qualifiers. Of those 10, 9 swam 2 events and 1 swam a single event giving a total of 19 individual swims. StX had 8 top heat finishes, 5 2nd heat finishes & 6 prelim only swims. StX finished first in 1 relay and 2nd in the other 2.
St Charles won the meet by 20 points.
That was 2011 and actually StF had 9 swimmers in the meet. They qualified 10 but one swimmer was injured in an automobile accident the week between the district and state meet that eliminated him from the meet. That year X had 14 swimmers (1 was relay only) qualify. 8 of X's swimmers swam 2 events - same number as StF. Both X & StF qualified a diver each of whom scored points. X won the meet by 14 points. StF won all the relays and X finished 2, 3, & 6 in the relays. Probably most telling was that in the "mythical" boys meet X dropped to 3rd losing to champ StF by 65 points.
ZfishInMason
Well-known member
These most recent posts beautifully describe what is necessary to be a state team champion in Ohio swimming. Have 18+ swims and be highly competitive (e.g. top 3) in all of the relays. It really is remarkable and is proof positive of how many schools realistically have an opportunity to legitimately compete for the title.
Can't wait for this season to start!
Can't wait for this season to start!
thedutchman
Member
Zfish is right on the money. X has 18+ swims year in & year out. And when is the last time X had a relay outside of the top 3 let alone that didn't top heat. Count the swims and relay swims of the teams that have beaten them or come close and you will see similar numbers. Can StF or Moeller create those kinds of numbers this year? It remains to be seen.
NWOhioAthletics
New member
The sprints will definitely be different this year. With the loss of all last year's seniors, Brodie and Christian look to still be the favorites in the 50 but the 100 will be up for grabs