Preseason Top 5 in Southwest Ohio

D

DontWorryAboutIt

New member
I know it is very early for any kind of discussion about what may or may not happen next winter, but as fans of this great sport, it is always fun to look ahead at what the future may hold. That being said, let's take a look at some of the teams that will have an impact in Southwest Ohio swimming.

Obvioulsy you have the perennial state championship contender St. Xavier. St. X loses a lot this season, but they never rebuild, they simply reload. With the best freshman in the state (Grant House) as well as several other impressive freshman coming in, St. X looks to be the team to beat again, not only in the city but art the state meet as well.

Behind them, you have a team with a lot of hype coming into next season in Moeller. With returning state scorers Greg Nymberg, Kevin George and others along with the return of Cooper Hodge, Moeller will be a force to be reckoned with. Add to that the potential transfer of a yet another state scorer and Moeller could make history.

Centerville is another perennial powerhouse team, seemingly finishing 2nd in the district every year. The Elks, however, lose a lot of great senior leadership this yeah, most notably Josh Brooks and Jake Carlsen. They do return Nate Lowry and what could very well be one of the best sophomore classes in Ohio. They will be solid again, but may need a year to bounce back to where they are used to being.

Oakwood is a power as well. The defending state champions in D2, Oakwood returns several studs and will undoubtedly be a force again. Patrick Mulcare is one of the best all around swimmers in the state heading into his junior year. Add to him the return of Jackson Higgins, Wending Zhu, and Brock Turner, and you have a beast of a team. They will have no problem putting together some stacked relays with names like that.

After that, it gets a bit dicey. Beavercreek will be decent with the return of Henrik Pohlman, the early favorite to win the 100 Back at state, but lacks the depth to hang with the big boys on a team scale. Kings will be solid with the return of the Koloseike boys, Sycamore loses everyone except Mark Hancher and Mason will be looking to rebound after a disappointing season. A dark horse team to keep your eye on, in my opinion, is Anderson. With the combination of Ed Bachman's KingFish team along with ME Lyons YMCA, Anderson and Turpin will always have some local talent to pull from. I don't know much about Talawanda. They were impressive last season, can they repeat that performance?

Who else is there? Who am I forgetting that could make an impact?

My top 5:
1. St Xavier
2. Moeller
3. Oakwood
4. Centerville
5. Kings
5. Anderson

When was the last time, no GMC teams were in the top 5 in the area? Wow...

What's your top 5 look like?
 
 
Kings is only returning Jimmy Kolosieke, and Ben Mathus so I doubt they will make top 5. Although those swimmers have chances to make top 8 at state. Talawanda should be top 5 as they return Scott Richmond as well as those two brothers.
 
I'll play...

2014 D1 SW District Meet:

1. X
2. Moeller
3. Centerville
4. Talawanda
5. Anderson
----------------
6. Mason
7. Kings
8. Sycamore
 
preeder61 said:
Only one of the brothers Caraballo will return, Edgar is a senior
Click to expand...

True, but Richmond and their mid-level sprinters (e.g. Crowder and Bornstein) will score points at the district level and they'll score well in relays also... just not enough to break into the top 3. Anderson seems similar, with several good/mid-level scorers and solid relays. Kings and Sycamore will drop considerably after graduating nearly their entire teams. Mason loses another state qualifier due to relocation for 2014 making 5 state-level swimmers lost in a two year stretch for the Comets. On a positive note, I'm really looking forward to watching X and Moeller battle it out... should be alot of fun!
 
I agree with that Z. I did not here about the relocation in Mason however? I hope it's not Hove because I was excited to see that class of sophomores grow!
 
A lot of people are saying that Grant House is a great swimmer, but that he is very full of himself and very cocky. He's not going to have an easy state championship next year as the 200 free will be the most competitive event at the state meet. Watch out Grant House you have competition for the first time in your life.
 
No doubt this kid is full of talent, but he will not win state easily. In fact I expect Kevin George to be the favorite in the 200 free next year. Also You can't rule out Cope or Westrick. The 100 is also going to be a competitive with the early favorite being Mason Miller!
 
ThatOneGuy10 said:
I agree with that Z. I did not here about the relocation in Mason however? I hope it's not Hove because I was excited to see that class of sophomores grow!
Click to expand...

Nick Gess (part of that ever-shrinking sophomore class) will be leaving this summer for America's dairyland... Wisconsin!

Really nice kid and a great family. We'll definitely miss them in Comet Country and wish them the best.
 
ZfishInMason said:
Nick Gess (part of that ever-shrinking sophomore class) will be leaving this summer for America's dairyland... Wisconsin!

Really nice kid and a great family. We'll definitely miss them in Comet Country and wish them the best.
Click to expand...

Always a shame to hear about talent leaving this area... wish him all the best!
 
I believe that the Mason guys will have an off year again like last year with the loss of Eric Chen. I do not understand how Z has Mason getting 6th at Districts for next year. I would be surprised if they even crack the top 10.
 
I also feel the same way about kings! I don't see them cracking the top 10 with only two state qualifiers and a huge lack of depth. I also don't see sycamore making a huge impact either. It will be interesting which teams will replace those teams if any. I heard a little hype about Oak Hills, Lasalle, Fairfield and Princeton but I'm unaware of the talent those teams have. Personally I think Wyoming could be a top 5 team in the southwest area. Led by the Rutter brothers I think they might be able to make an impact, but who knows.
 
OhioSwimming said:
I believe that the Mason guys will have an off year again like last year with the loss of Eric Chen. I do not understand how Z has Mason getting 6th at Districts for next year. I would be surprised if they even crack the top 10.
Click to expand...

You don't lose a leader and quality sprinter like Eric Chen and not feel it. However, the lion's share of the points on this team are coming from the young freestylers and they are going to roll through the GMC and score just fine at the sectional and district meets as well. They will have very solid 200 free and 400 free relays (better than last year I predict - and that was WITH E. Chen) and they are going to score well in the 500 free. Hove and Thatcher are not the "peak quick and plateau" types... they have both dropped significant time every year for the last several and are going to be a handful for anyone in the SW district over the next 2 years (ie I predict Jr National times for both). Add in some points from Mechler, He and Bleasdale, as well as a continued improvement from sprinter Bailey, butterflier Carrillo and you have a solid scoring at the sectional/district level. They have an incoming freshman who is a solid backstroker who should help fill in a big need, especially with another year of experience and with a massive population of swimmers you never know who the "surprise" swimmer that we aren't even talking about will be (e.g. Drew Seikmann last year).

Obviously they will have few scorers at the state level (Hove, Thatcher, and relays are the likeliest candidates) but dang... they've literally lost 5 individual state-level swimmers in 2 years! That's the price you pay for living in a community with a large number of upwardly mobile professionals!

Another question to ask is... who's going to score more outside of the top 5 I listed? Which teams have MORE point scorers? I didn't see any which is why I predicted they'll finish 6th. Wyoming, like Dayton Oakwood, is DII and I don't see the point in comparing them since they won't be competing against one another at any level beyond dual meets. None of the other GMC schools have the numbers of quality swimmers necessary to beat Mason in a dual or in a sectional/district meet. At the State Meet, outstanding individuals will rule and things could reverse themselves with Hancher (SYC), McDonald (LE), Westrick (FF), Andrews (MID) all capable of bringing home individual points for their schools but ALL will struggle getting relay teams to state this year.
 
Last edited:
Mason will win the GMC meet handily (potentially winning every single freestyle indv and relay event) and with the lack of strong teams this year I can see mason creeping their way into the top 5 at districts. With the talent of X and Moeller they will suck up a lot of points!
 
kings will drop considerably next year the group of seniors they have now is the fastet ever!!! Moeller will be verry strong next year, the strongest they ever had. definitely not a buldign year but a "construction complete" year LOL:banana:
st xavier jesuit will have a run for their jesuit money. my good friend coach brower told me he is scratchging his hea dover how to approach next year. i know youll do the best jim, but the foghting moeller aquasaders will pull it out in the end!!!
1. moeller
2. moeller
3. st xavier
4. moeller
^^this will be the ranks for next year :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :banana: :banana: :banana:
 
MoeSwimsBest said:
kings will drop considerably next year the group of seniors they have now is the fastet ever!!! Moeller will be verry strong next year, the strongest they ever had. definitely not a buldign year but a "construction complete" year LOL:banana:
st xavier jesuit will have a run for their jesuit money. my good friend coach brower told me he is scratchging his hea dover how to approach next year. i know youll do the best jim, but the foghting moeller aquasaders will pull it out in the end!!!
1. moeller
2. moeller
3. st xavier
4. moeller
^^this will be the ranks for next year :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :banana: :banana: :banana:
Click to expand...

At least your early posts were funny, but now you are just annoying. Your posts have been limited to nothing more than a reference of your "good friend Coach Brower" and a bunch of spelling and grammar mistakes. You make Moeller look bad, just stop.
 
I agree that the top 4 teams in Cincinnati will be St X, Moeller, Talawanda and Anderson. St. X and Moeller will be far ahead of the other local teams.

Talawanda returns Scott Richmond, Josh Crowder, Josh Bornstein and Jesus Caraballo, which will result is strong relay combinations.

Anderson returns Hassler Carroll, Grant Wethington and Korey Aukerman.

After those four teams, I would rate Mason, Sycamore, Kings and Walnut Hills in the mix. Kings returns Ben Matheus and Jimmy Koloseike. Walnut returns Andrew Tengen and the Keener brothers.

The GMC was hit hard with graduations, but there are still numerous great swimmers in the league. The top returning swimmers include:

200 Free - Westrick, Hancher, Hove, Mcdonald, Andrew, Mechler, Thatcher, Goldstein and He. Mason definitely has this event covered.

200 IM - McDonald, Andrew, Hove, Hancher, Carrillo, Enrico, Niu.

50 Free - Westrick, Hancher, Bailey, Skoog, Andrew, Thiss.

100 Fly - Hancher, Carrillo, McDonald, Enrico, Drake, Heldman.

100 Free - Westrick, Hancher, Goldstein, Andrew, Niu, Mechler

500 Free - McDonald, Hove, Thatcher, Andrew, Mechler, Bleasdale (another Mason strength)

100 Back - McDonald, Enrico, Cappel, Hancher, Jesse, Andrew

100 Breast - Tinsley, Enrico, Hammer, McDonald

So Mason has a strong core with Senior Cesar Carrillo, Juniors Hove, Mechler, He, Bleasdale and Seikman, Sophomores Preston Bailey and Joel Thatcher. Plenty of depth for relays.

Don't leave Sycamore out of the equation in the GMC, with a great Junior class of Mark Hancher, Isaac Goldstein, John Heldman, Rick Niu and Ben Thiss. This group is as strong as Mason's class. Add to that Seniors Grant Girten, Ben Hammer, and Max Cappel, and you have a contender in the league.

Fairfield returns Ross Westrick, Mitchell Ellis and Michael Drake. Oak Hills returns Brian Walker. Lakota East has Matt McDonald and Josh Enrico. West has Jackson Tinsley. Middletown is a one man show with Mark Andrew.

The league has certainly thinned out, and Mason is the early favorite to end the 4 year championship reign of the Aviators. But don't put it in the books just yet.
 
Last edited:
This year is setting itself up to be an exciting year! Mason looks to be the top team in the GMC. X looks to have some competition in the district for the first time in years. There has been a lot of hype surrounding Moeller this year and I have been a huge contributed to that hype. I would like all of your opinions on the subject, with Moellers team next year do you think they have a realistic shot at taking X down?
 
ThatOneGuy10 said:
With the talent of X and Moeller they will suck up a lot of points!
Click to expand...
Great point and one I missed. X and Moeller won't leave any easy points lying around for marginal swimmers to pick up.

OhioSwimming said:
The GMC is weak this year, and Mason (as their top team) won't score more than 5 points state. That's my prediction.
Click to expand...
Agree that the GMC isn't as strong as usual. Disagree about the state prediction. They will have at least one swimmer in the 500 free finals and another in the consolation heat unless there is an injury. That's my prediction.

DontWorryAboutIt said:
At least your early posts were funny, but now you are just annoying...You make Moeller look bad, just stop.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more.

SwimReporter said:
The league has certainly thinned out, and Mason is the early favorite to end the 4 year championship reign of the Aviators. But don't put it in the books just yet.
Click to expand...
Right you are. I think Mason will break the streak but to assume Sycamore will just roll over is foolish... they'll bring their best when it matters.


ThatOneGuy10 said:
There has been a lot of hype surrounding Moeller this year and I have been a huge contributed to that hype. I would like all of your opinions on the subject, with Moellers team next year do you think they have a realistic shot at taking X down?
Click to expand...
I think Moeller will be really good and they have a shot at the crown but everyone will have to really be lights out to counter X's incredible depth of talent. At the top end, swimmer for swimmer, I think Moeller is right there and I came within a hair of picking the upset. But in the end, I think X will squeak out a really close battle.
 
The only meet I think Moeller has a chance at beating X is the state meet. I think X will cruise over Moeller at classics, GCL, and districts because of the amount of depth they have. The reason I think Moeller can win state is because I think Moeller has more top 8 events at the state meet than X, with or without the transfer.
Moellers top 8 events

Kevin George: 200, 500 free (state champion caliber)
Greg Nymberg: 50free, 100 fly (state champion caliber)
Cooper Hodge: 100 back, 200 I.M (state champion caliber)
Noah Worbetz: 100 back, 200 free
"Transfer": 2 freestyle events (state champion caliber)

For X
Grant House: 200 free, 100 fly or free (state champion caliber)
Mitchell Frey: 2 I.M., 100 free
Matt slabe: 500 free
Kevin Mosko: 500 free

I am sure I am missing someone from X, it is currently on the tip of my tongue. If my predictions serve to be right then that gives Moeller 8 events (10 pending transfer) to X's 6 events. I know it's impossible to tell and that prediction is extremely bias, but I think it is some what realistic and is a reasonable assumption.

X would have to put up points on relays and consoles to catch up from the points they lost at the top and I think Moeller can keep up with them there too, if not even match them. What do you guys think about this analysis?
 
ThatOneGuy10 said:
The only meet I think Moeller has a chance at beating X is the state meet. I think X will cruise over Moeller at classics, GCL, and districts because of the amount of depth they have. The reason I think Moeller can win state is because I think Moeller has more top 8 events at the state meet than X, with or without the transfer.
Moellers top 8 events

Kevin George: 200, 500 free (state champion caliber)
Greg Nymberg: 50free, 100 fly (state champion caliber)
Cooper Hodge: 100 back, 200 I.M (state champion caliber)
Noah Worbetz: 100 back, 200 free
"Transfer": 2 freestyle events (state champion caliber)

For X
Grant House: 200 free, 100 fly or free (state champion caliber)
Mitchell Frey: 2 I.M., 100 free
Matt slabe: 500 free
Kevin Mosko: 500 free

I am sure I am missing someone from X, it is currently on the tip of my tongue. If my predictions serve to be right then that gives Moeller 8 events (10 pending transfer) to X's 6 events. I know it's impossible to tell and that prediction is extremely bias, but I think it is some what realistic and is a reasonable assumption.

X would have to put up points on relays and consoles to catch up from the points they lost at the top and I think Moeller can keep up with them there too, if not even match them. What do you guys think about this analysis?
Click to expand...

I truly believe that all the countryside boys will se a great imporvement!! noah has made leaps and bounds over the years, and kevin has done nothing to improve. ive watched tory grow form a short, chubby kid to a short, kinda less chubby kid haha! if youre reading this tory, i love you!! :D
but on the more serious side, i think greg nymberg will stand above the rest. focusing on his springting has done him wonders as can be attested by his state meet. if my sources tell true, he is undergoing an experimental surgery over this summer to enhance his musculr growth and skeletal strength and digestional fortitude. ALL LEGAL TOO!! go moe!
 
ThatOneGuy10 said:
The only meet I think Moeller has a chance at beating X is the state meet. I think X will cruise over Moeller at classics, GCL, and districts because of the amount of depth they have.
Click to expand...

Although I don't think Moeller can overcome StX in the state meet, I agree with your analysis that it is only at the state meet that Moeller can possibly beat StX. Moeller's lineup while very talented does not have the depth of StX in the district, Classic or GCL meets. In those meets, unlike the state meet, the lower half of StX's team will score points. It's very early, but assuming all falls into place for Moeller (in terms of the expected transfer and return of Hodge), for the first time since 2011 it looks like StX may be pressed at the state meet. Still, to win at the state meet Moeller will have to swim a near perfect meet (similar to St Charles in 2008) to overcome StX and even then it will likely take a stumble by StX and/or some unexpected help from somewhere else for Moeller to prevail.
 
my guess is it moeller will be a similar team to ua the last two years, 4 or 5 state level big heat swimmers, and not much depth, x will chip away as always and win in a similar manner, ua had 10 big heat swims (2 relays) and one consol relay and still didn't get to 200 points!
 
I feel like this X team is weaker than the x team of a couple years ago. I also think Moeller has more depth than the UA team from 2 years ago. Tory worbetz, Jacob pelquin (excuse my spelling) and fritz Josephson are all capable of scoring top 16 at state next year and contributing well to an off relay. X is a mystery to me, the more I try to analyze them the weaker they appear.. If any X fan or swimming fan in general wants to enlighten me, I would be more than happy to here it.
 
ThatOneGuy10 said:
I feel like this X team is weaker than the x team of a couple years ago. I also think Moeller has more depth than the UA team from 2 years ago. Tory worbetz, Jacob pelquin (excuse my spelling) and fritz Josephson are all capable of scoring top 16 at state next year and contributing well to an off relay. X is a mystery to me, the more I try to analyze them the weaker they appear.. If any X fan or swimming fan in general wants to enlighten me, I would be more than happy to here it.
Click to expand...

St X's returning state qualifyers...

Kevin Mosko, 200 and 500
Matt Slabe 200 and 500
Mitchell Frey 200 IM and 100
Mike Mantague 200 IM
Liam Moran 100 Back
Jacob Westerkamp 100 Back

add to that list the incoming freshman stud Grant House, who will be an immediate threat in the freestyle events. I would have him do the 100 and the 200 at state, but could also do the 50, 500, or even 100 Fly.

Plus we all know St X has some district level talent that does not even make their sectional team each year, so there will undoubtedly be a handful of guys that now have the chance to show what they can do after such a great senior class graduating.

Bottom line is Moeller, and everyone else for that matter, will have their work cut out for them if they plan on dethroning St X.

That being said, this fan hopes it happens... a little parody is good for the sport!
 
thedutchman said:
Still, to win at the state meet Moeller will have to swim a near perfect meet (similar to St Charles in 2008) to overcome StX and even then it will likely take a stumble by StX and/or some unexpected help from somewhere else for Moeller to prevail.
Click to expand...

While it is true that the 2008 SC team swam very well in the state meet, I'm not certain you could call their win an upset. Going into the season everyone knew that X & SC were the top two teams in the state. The only question was in which order they would finish. The teams met 3 times in December that season. First at their annual dual meet, then the following day at the SC Showdown, and finally, 2 weeks later at the Big 8. SC won the dual meet and the showdown. X won the Big 8. In the state meet both teams swam very well, each dropping or holding time in most events. SC won the state meet by 20 points - taking 2 of the 3 relays from X which supplied the margin of victory. Both teams had 11 swims in the top heat and 6 swims in the consolation heat. It was a great meet between 2 very equally matched teams. Swim the meet 10 times and each team probably wins 5 meets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top