VW swimmers qualify for state meet

SANDRA GROOMS/independent sports

BOWLING GREEN – Bowling Green State University was the site of the Northwest District Swimming and Diving Championship. District team champions were Sandusky Perkins High School for girls and Lima Shawnee for boys. Napoleon High School finished runner-up for both girls and boys.  Seven swimmers and two divers from Van Wert High School competed.  The Cougar boys’ team placed 15^th out of 37 teams.

Sophomore Kase Schalois is headed to the state diving meet after finishing fifth in the 1-meter, 11-dive competition. His score of 319.40 breaks his own VWHS record of 310.25 that he set at sectionals. Junior Garrett McDowell finished 17^th scoring 175.90 points.

Freshman Eric Easley earned medals for his eighth place finishes in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke. His time of 1:03.18 broke his own VWHS record of 1:04.65 set on January 27^th.

Junior Trey Stemen competed in the 200-yard individual medley finishing 19^th and the 100-yard breaststroke finishing 32st. Junior Cody Hanes placed 21^st in the 100-yard backstroke and 28^th in the 200-yard individual medley. Junior AJ Foster finished 28^th in the 50 –yard freestyle.

The boys 200-yard medley relay with Eric Easley, Trey Stemen, Adam Saylor and Cody Hanes finished 14^th the 400-yard freestyle relay with Eric Easley, Trey Stemen, Adam Saylor and AJ Foster both finished 15^th.

For the cougar girls, Junior Taylor Grooms competed in the 200- yard freestyle finishing 21^st and the girls 500-yard freestyle finishing 23^rd and junior Erin Dingle placed 25^th in the girls 500-yard freestyle.

Schalois will dive Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state championship at the C.T. Branen Natatorium in Canton.

Girls Results (all distances in yards)

* Scored team points

• 200 Freestyle:  21^st (2:11.98 – Taylor Grooms)
• 500 Freestyle: 23^rd (6:.04.83 – Taylor Grooms), 25^th (6:09.60 – Erin Dingle)

Boys Results (all distances in yards)

* Scored team points

• 200 Medley Relay: 14^th (1:50.03 – Cody Hanes, Trey Stemen, Eric Easley, Adam Saylor)
• 200 Individual Medley: *8^th (2:07.98 – Eric Easley), 22^nd (2:17.65 – Trey Stemen), 28^th (2:21.77 – Cody Hanes)
• 50 Freestyle:  28^th (24.55 – A.J. Foster)
• 1 Meter Diving:  *5th (319.40  pts. – Kase Schalois), 17^th (175.90  pts. – Garrett Mc Dowell)
• 100 Backstroke:  21^st (1:01.89 – Cody Hanes)
• 100 Breaststroke: *8^th (1:03.78 – Eric Easley), 31^st (1:11.38 – Trey Stemen)
• 400 Freestyle Relay: 15^th (3:38.17 – Cody Hanes, Eric Easley, Adam Saylor, Trey Stemen)