Swimmers priming for sectionals

MARION - Linsie Zhang swims year-round so she will be primed for February.

The Pleasant senior is gearing up for the high school postseason, which starts Saturday with sectionals.

"I feel that my 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly are picking up the pace," Zhang said.

She swept through the recent Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Championships at the Marion YMCA, with the goal of advancing to districts and ultimately the state meet in Canton the last week of February.

Zhang isn't alone.

"It feels good," River Valley junior Gigi Gooding said. "I'm really excited for sectionals and districts and hopefully state."

Madison Lindstedt is a freshman at Elgin, so with this being a new experience, she's looking forward to starting it.

"We want to show them we are ready for sectionals and district and hopefully we'll all be together at state," Lindstedt said.

The step-up in competition as the postseason advances excites the swimmers.

"Get some good times at sectionals and them do well at districts and hope to get a podium finish or two," Mount Gilead's Erin Zmuda said of the goals ahead.

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Sectional Swimming Saturday

Division I: Marion Harding at Thomas Worthington

Division II: Buckeye Valley at Thomas Worthington

Division II: Elgin, Mount Gilead, Pleasant, Ridgedale and River Valley at Columbus Academy