AQUABOMBERS CLAIM 72ND GCL TITLE
St. Xavier Swimming and Diving has a long and storied tradition as does the GCL. The AquaBombers added their 72nd title to the trophy going back to 1932. The program last lost the crown in 1955 (according to GCL records). The Men of X tallied 549 points followed by Moeller (293), Elder (154) and LaSalle 138.
The divers got things rolling with a 1 – 3 – 4 – 5 finish led by Josh Knapke (SR) with ample support from Jacob Rodriguez (JR), Will Behimer (FR) and Ben Cutforth (SO). The diving was contested on Sunday at Sycamore High School.
Wednesday night the swimmers took their turn in adding another chapter to the season’s story. Paced by swimmer of the meet RJ Myers (SO) who set two meet records (200 Free – 1:42.36 and 500 Free 4:36.96), the Long Blue Lane swam its way to wins in each of the eleven events. Joining Myers on top of the podium were individual winners Andrew Devin (JR) [50 Free and 100 Back], Nathan Wall (FR) [200 IM], John Paul Khouzam (JR) [100 Fly], Daniel Stroh (SR) [100 Free] and Kent Perry (SR) [100 Breast].
Relay wins went to:
200 Medley Relay – 1:37.21 [Devine, Perry, Khouzam, Aki Li (JR)]
200 Free Relay – 1:28.69 [Robert Prophater (SR), Christian Wall (JR), Li, Stroh]
400 Free Relay – 3:13.35 [Myers, Wall, C., Kellen Roddy (SO), Stroh]
The squad went one-two in each individual event and had clean sweeps (1 – 2 – 3 – 4) in 200 Free, 200 IM and 500 Free. The performances by the 24 athletes resulted in a score only eleven points shy of “maxing” out.
Click Here for Complete Results
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- 95% Season Best Times
- 85% Lifetime Best Times
- Eight Events faster than last year
- All 35 swims would have qualified for District last year
- 13 swims involving ten athletes would have qualified for State last year
- 9 swims involving nine athletes would have scored at State last year
- This year’s total points were two higher than last year
- “Class Act” – 6 Seniors, 8 Juniors, 6 Sophomores, 4 Freshmen
- Eleven Top 50 Performances
COACHES COMMENTS
Head coach Tim Beerman, a former GCL champion as an athlete, was extremely pleased commenting, “Everyone stepped up and contributed. This meet and the performances set a very positive tone as we move forward.”
“As a coaching staff, we are all extremely pleased with how things went tonight. The guys work so hard and to see their efforts come to fruition is very gratifying,” noted coach Jim Brower.
“There are so many moveable parts with our program. To see it come together in the stands, in the water and behind the scenes is a tribute to athletes, their families, coaches, officials, fans and quality competition,” summarized coach Don DiGiacomo.
“We extend our best wishes and thanks to John Sullivan (AD),” said coach Tom Keefe.
Sullivan is moving to a new athletic director position in North Carolina and witnessed his last GCL meet.
DIVERS SET TONE FOR GCL CHAMPIONSHIP
The St. Xavier divers posted impressive scores and finishes Sunday to get the GCL Championship off to a flying start. Senior Josh Knapke finished first with a personal best of 260.00 points. He was not alone as Jacob Rodriguez scored with a best ever of 213.35 good for third. Freshman Will Behimer (196.25) and sophomore Ben Cutforth (194.05) claimed 4th and 5th respectively.
“We showed quality, depth and team balance as we had representatives from each class. We now can focus on sectionals and beyond,” concluded diving coach Brandon Unthank.