Highlighted by relay exploits, Willowdale comes back from bad start to win meet

BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

LULING-With the season nearing its conclusion, the Willowdale swim team pulled out an important victory Tuesday night against the Ormond Country Club, 495-426.

The victory by Willowdale was due in large part to one of the best comebacks of the season in the breast, fly and relays thanks to a slow start in the first two strokes.

Willowdale Head Coach Carol Bohnsack said she was happy to see her team come back and respond so well to come away with the victory.

“We fell behind after the backstroke,” Bohnsack said. “Then we swam really well from that point on, especially in the breaststroke and fly. Our relay teams really dominated and we were able to pull out a victory. It was really good for us.”

Bohnsack said the ability to rebound from the slow start is something showed the growth and maturity in her squad.

“It was a great thing for me to see,” Bohnsack said. “The main thing is that means that we know the strokes better. We have most of our kids in the breaststroke and butterfly, which are the two hardest strokes to learn and do correctly. It meant a lot especially when we fell behind early.”

Several Willowdale swimmers had outstanding meets and came home with multiple first-place finishes. Leah Wilson took home a pair of first-place finishes in the freestyle and backstroke and Drew Wood took home first place finishes in the freestyle, backstroke and breast. Betsy Chester, Caitlyn McDonald and Blaise Wise all took home three first-place finishes as well.

Bohnsack said she is excited about the direction her squad is headed as the championships are inching closer.

“We are swimming pretty good,” Bohnsack said. “We have a few swimmers that are not going to be able to attend. That is kind of disappointing, but that always happens. We should look good in our divisionals and heading into city championships.”

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Tyler Massimini-1st free, 1st breast, 2nd fly

Sean Michael-Morgan- 3rd free, 1st fly

Betsy Chester-1st free, 1st breast, 1st fly

Hunter McDonald-2nd free

Shannon Briner-2nd free, 3rd back, 2nd fly

Vinnie Massimini-2nd free, 3rd breast, 2nd fly

Caitlyn McDonald-1st free, 1st breast, 1st fly

Drew Wood-1st free, 1st back, 1st breast

Nick Massimini- 2nd free, 2nd breast, 1st fly

Olivia Neilands- 3rd back

Blaise Wise- 1st back, 1st breast, 1st fly

Emma Taylor- 2nd back

Alex Schaefer- 3rd back

Blake Fonseca- 3rd back

Andrew Sandoz- 2nd back, 1st breast

Russell Fort- 3rd back

Kinza Botheras- 2nd breast

Elizabeth Suss- 3rd breast

Bailey Wilson- 1st fly

Jacques Petit- 3rd fly

Andrew Jenkins- 2nd fly

Drake Neilands- 3rd fly