HIGH SCHOOL

Watkins makes splash in first LCL meet

Dave Weidig
Reporter

NEW ALBANY - You couldn't keep the smiles off the faces of Josie Bunstine and Katelyn Darby. Or John Hoffman for that matter.

Watkins Memorial wound up wearing the biggest smiles of all.

The first Licking County League swim meet crowned the Warriors as not only boys champions but overall champs Saturday at New Albany High School. Northridge's Bunstine and Darby each won two events, helping the host Vikings finish second to Granville in the girls competition. And Lakewood's Hoffman finally broke the minute mark to win the 100 butterfly.

"It was fun. In a league meet like this, there's a lot of pride," said Watkins coach Fay Barry." That's why all the kids were doing as well as they did. They wanted to show they were the best in the county."

In her final home meet, Bunstine won the 50 freestyle in :26.13 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.17. Darby, a sophomore, set a school record and took over four seconds off her qualifying time with a victorious 2:10.0 in the 200 freestyle, also winning the 100 backstroke in 1:07.76.

"We have our home meets here, so I'm really comfortable," Darby said. "I was really excited for the meet, and confident. I really wanted it, was really determined to break the school record."

"Being my senior year, I wanted to get the 50 record here and see her get the 200 record," Bunstine said. "And she got it. She's like my sister. We do things together, in and out of the pool and we've practiced together ever since I can remember. I remember being here four years ago when we first started the swim team, and hopefuly, she and the younger swimmers can keep it going."

Battling a shoulder issue, Hoffman scratched himself from the 200 freestyle to concentrate on the 100 fly. It paid off, as he swam :59.45 to win after coming in at 1:01.02.

"I swam 1:02 at the district last year, and I've been trying all of this year to get under a minute," said Hoffman, a junior "I just wanted to drop as much time as I could. My turns have been a little iffy, so I definitely improved. I'd like to at least get in the top 10 in the district, then make it to state as a senior."

The youthful Watkins boys, led by freshmen Ian Jarvis and Spencer Kleeh, showed they've already arrived. They scored 282 points to 175 by Granville while Northridge took third with 112.

Jarvis won the 200 individual medley in 2:20.14, then later swam a school record 1:02.71 to capture the 100 backstroke. He broke the old mark of 1:03.52 held by Alan Chapman.

"I guess the training is paying off. This really helps my confidence, setting the school record," Jarvis said. "We've been swimming as a unit really well. It helps the way we push each other in practice."

Jarvis also led off on the winning 200 freestyle relay which clocked 1:38.94 to beat Granvillle, which came in with the faster time. Joining him were senior Skylar Chapman, sophomore Jacob Raver and Kleeh.

"I thought we had a good chance," Kleeh said. "We were only a second and a half off (Granville), and our third guy (Raver) was dropping time all day. We're going to keep getting better. Our middle school kids coming up are really good, and they'll give us some diversity in different events for the future."

Sophomore Justin Mohler won the 500 freestyle in 5:49.15 for Watkins and also anchored the victorious 400 relay (4:05.6) that picked up valuable points in the last event with Brian Wright, Ethan Ness and Marshall Grady.

Senior Colin McDermott won the 50 free (:23.22) and 100 free (:54.73) for Granville, while junior Rowan Moore took the 200 free (2:03.35) and 100 breaststroke (1:06.65). Both swam on the winning 200 medley relay (1:50.92) with Jesse Faler and Tristan Mullins.

"I'm happy with the wins, but a little disappointed in my times," McDermott said. "I really wanted to get down in the :22.5 range today (for the 50) and get it down to around 48 (seconds) for the district (100). For just starting last year, I'm doing pretty well. Whatever it takes, 50, 100 or relay, I want to get to the state."

Sophomore Sarah Martin was dominant for Granville's girls, which scored 276 points to 203 by Northridge. Watkins was third at 180. Martin won the 200 individual medley (2:18.75) and 100 fly (1:02.01). She also swam on the winning 200 medley relay (2:00.26) with Alexa Specht, Carolyn Mestemaker and Bailey Bradshaw, and the winning 200 freestyle relay (1:47.58) with Bradshaw, Specht and Avery Bednarski. Specht won the 500 freestyle in 5:57.84.

Bednarski, a senior, won a duel with Newark Catholic's Megan Stanton in the 100 free, clocking :59.03 to Stanton's :59.59. The race showed the fun, competitive nature of a first conference meet.

"That's not the first time she's pushed me," Bednarski said. "I quit my club team this year, so it's been a little different. I've concentrated more on my senior leadership, and I love helping our younger swimmers."

Stanton was happy with her performance.

"I've been spending a lot of time with my club (volleyball) team and not as much time in the pool, and that's what happens when you play other sports," she said. "That was the first time I've been under a minute this year."

Barry called the Warriors' overall championship  "beyond wonderful."

"I figured our boys could win, and that Granville girls probably would," she said. "One of our top swimmers was sick and there's a lot of illness going around. We had a great week of practice and the kids showed off what they're capable of doing."

dweidig@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @noz75