VW swimmers hold annual banquet

SANDRA GROOMS/for The Van Wert independent

The Van Wert High School swim team held its end of the season awards banquet. Head Coach Kim Clifton, along with assistant coaches Martha Martin, Angie Stemen, Brendon Moody and Keith Rydell, honored 12 senior Cougars:  Briana Agler, Matt Cucciarre, Erin Dingle, Taylor Grooms, Cody Hanes, Brittany Jurczyk, Gretchen Klinker, Kaylee Meyers, Garrett McDowell, Miranda Rickard, and Trey Stemen.

Most Valuable swimmer awards were presented to senior Taylor Grooms and sophomore Eric Easley.   Freshmen Whitney Meyers and Kory Schlatter received the “Most Improved” award.

A total of 26 swimmers and divers maintained a 3.0 grade point average during the season and received Scholar-Athlete awards. Recipients included Briana Agler, Meredith Arn, Matt Cucciarre, Erin Dingle, Eric Easley, Andi Foster, AJ Foster, Taylor Grooms Holly Hammond, Chelsea Henning, Becca Johnson, Adam Jurczyk, Brittany Jurczyk, Gretchen Klinker, Karlyn Koontz, Jon Lisa, Kaylee Meyers, Whitney Meyers, Josh Overholt, Miranda Rickard, Kase Schalois, Kory Schlatter, Marissa Sperry, Hannah Stemen, Trey Stemen, and Reed Wermer.

Eric Easley received honors for his school record in the 100 backstroke, and Western Buckeye League, sectional, district, all-Lima area First Team and All-Ohio honors.

Kase Schalois received honors for his 11-dive school record, and WBL, district, All-Lima area Special Mention, and All-Ohio honors.

The relay team of Cody Hanes, Eric Easley, Trey Stemen, and AJ Foster also received honors for breaking the school record in the 200 medley relay, WBL and sectional honors.

Garrett McDowell was recognized for his participation in the state diving meet.

Others receiving sectional honors were Taylor Grooms (200 and 500 freestyle), Trey Stemen (200 IM), Cody Hanes (100 butterfly), Hannah Stemen (100 backstroke), and Taylor Grooms, Hannah Stemen, Brittany Jurczyk and Erin Dingle (400 freestyle relay).

All Lima Area winners were: Special Mention to AJ Foster and Cody Hanes; and Honorable Mention to Brittany Jurczyk, Taylor Grooms, Erin Dingle, Matt Cucciarre and Trey Stemen.

Eric Easley, Erin Dingle, Matt Cucciarre, Hannah Stemen, Cody Hanes, Brittany Jurczyk, MacKenzie Agler, and Marissa Sperry earned most Personal Record awards.

Varsity letters were also presented, as follows: Fourth year — AJ Foster, Taylor Grooms, Trey Stemen;  third year — seniors Matt Cucciarre, Erin Dingle, Cody Hanes, Brittany Jurczyk and Junior Kase Schalois; second year — senior Garrett McDowell and sophomore Eric Easley; first year — seniors Briana Agler, Gretchen Klinker, Kaylee Meyers, sophomores Holly Hammond, Adam Jurczyk, Karlyn Koontz, Daniel Silette,  freshmen Josh Overholt and Hannah Stemen.

Participation awards were given to Mackenzie Agler, Meredith Arn, Andi Foster, Chelsea Henning, Becca Johnson, Jon Lisa, Mitchell Mengerink, Whitney Meyers, Miranda Rickard, Jacob Scheidt, Kory Schlatter, Marisa Sperry and Reed Wermer.

Reed Wermer, Becca Johnson and Kase Schalois will serve as captains for the Cougars’ 2012-2013 season.

Special award winner include (from the left) Eric Easley and Taylor Grooms, most valuable swimmers; and Whitney Meyers and Kory Schlatter, most improved swimmers. (photos submitted)

Seniors on the Van Wert swim team pose for this photo.

This group is of swim team members who earned the scholar-athlete designation.

This group shows swim team members who earned varsity letters this season.