BY Chronicle-Telegram

Westlake remains the team to beat in the Southwestern Conference. That comes as no surprise on the girls side. However, it is a bit of shock on the boys side.

The Westlake boys, who are gunning for their third straight SWC title, remained a perfect 3-0 in the conference after sweeping all 11 events against Brecksville en route to a 111-74 home victory Saturday night.

The meet wasn’t as lopsided as the score might indicate. Several events were very tight. The victory was keyed by come-from-behind wins by freshman Jack St. Marie in the 200 free (1:58.81) and 500 free (5:21.78).

St. Marie won the 200 free by 0.28 of a second and the 500 free by 0.09 of a second.

“The boys team is doing a great job,” Westlake coach Jim Walsh said. “A lot of people were counting us out this year after we graduated the ‘Four Horsemen.’
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Westlake’s ‘Four Horsemen’ from last year included state qualifiers Brandon Tabor, Dan Lammers and Matt Maciag.

Junior Oleg Obolenskyy and sophomore Bobby Knurek also contributed to the Demons’ win over the Bees.

Obolenskyy won the 50 free (24.06) and 100 free (53.54), while Knurek captured the 200 individual medley (2:11.96) and 100 back (1:00.46). Both were members of two winning relays as well.

“We’re just getting into our next phase of training,” said Walsh. “The kids are just getting into shape now. I’m very excited about the next month of the season.”

Last season, Westlake was the first SWC team to win back-to-back team titles for boys and girls teams from the same school in consecutive seasons.

The Westlake girls team (3-0 SWC) is primed to win its fourth SWC crown in a row after defeating Brecksville 124-62. The Demons won nine of 11 events.

Individually, junior Casey Hamilton and senior Emily Splain were multiple winners for the Westlake girls.

Hamilton won the 50 free (25.79) and 100 free (55.67). Splain took the 200 free (2:04.98) and 100 back (1:05.81). Each girl also swam on two winning relays.

Senior MacKenzie Wickliffe won diving (244.30). Freshman Heather Smith captured the 200 IM (2:26.09).

“Our girls 400 free relay is really doing an awesome job,” said Walsh. “They were second behind Hawken at the Viking meet and are ranked No. 5 in the state. Two teams ranked in front of them are state champs (Hawken — Division II; Upper Arlington — Division I).”

Hamilton, Splain, her freshman sister Megan Splain and senior Alaine Perconti clocked 3:45.69 at the Viking meet on Dec. 15 behind Hawken (3:43.21).

Give us a call
High school coaches are encouraged to submit times for the weekly swimming and diving honor roll. Times and diving scores
(six-dive scores only) should be submitted no later than 9 p.m. on Tuesday nights. Coaches are also encouraged to submit athlete-of-the-week nominations no later than 9 p.m. on Sundays. Coaches should provide statistics (times and performances) along with a brief athlete bio of their nominations.

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