CANTON – It’s a pretty good view from the podium at the state swim meet.
Ross’ 200 medley relay team can attest to that.
Olivia DeRodes
MaKennah Fitzgerald
The Lady Giants foursome of MaKennah Fitzgerald, Alexis Prenzlin, AnneMarie Moses and Olivia DeRodes placed sixth at the Division I state swim meet with a time of 1:45.27. The time not only earned them a medal and a spot on the podium, it also broke the school record (1:45.64) they held from last year’s district championship meet.
“They swam fast, broke the school record,” girls coach Tina Moses said. “Since I’ve been coaching, I can’t remember anyone breaking a school record at the state meet. Usually if we break a school record it happens at the district meet because it’s a much faster pool.
“They all swam and did their parts. Olivia DeRodes dropped almost a full second off her freestyle leg, and the rest of them all had fast swims. It all came together.”
AnneMarie Moses
Alexis Prenzlin
The best part about the relay is it’s comprised of three juniors and one sophomore, meaning they’ll all return next year for another shot at returning to the podium. But, for now, they’ll savor their first state medal.
“I think right now they’re just enjoying medaling, being able to stand on the podium as group,” Moses said. “This is a really close group of girls, this is the second year in a row they’ve swam together as a group and I think they’re just enjoying their success for now.”
Prenzlin, swimming in the consolation final in the 100 breaststroke, clocked a time of 1:04.45, placing her 12th in the state, good for all-Ohio honors.
“I think she’s happy with her time,” Moses said. “Her walls were a little slow and her timing a little off, but other than that she swam fast. She looked good.”
Andrew Evans
The lone member of the boys team to make it to Day 2 of the state meet saw Andrew Evans swim in the consolation heat of the 100 breaststroke. Entering the event as the highest seed, he won his heat with a time of 57.00 seconds, just .01 seconds ahead of Dover’s Patrick Tolloti, placing him ninth in the state and earning all-Ohio.
“I always have this thing with the kids, on the itinerary sheet I have the times down to the hundredth second because every hundredth of a second makes a difference,” boys coach Phil Moran said.
“He did a great job. His best finish ever at the state meet and he should be thrilled with that. We’re thrilled for him. He’s got bigger and better things ahead of him, he’s so young and inexperienced in swimming. Some college coach is going to be licking his chops getting him.”