Clearfield swimmers defeat Tyrone
Saturday, December 19, 2009
By Josh Mlot Sports Writer
HYDE - Speed wasn't the major factor on Friday night at the Robert L. Shearer Natatorium, depth was.
The Clearfield swim team didn't necessarily notch its fastest times, but consistency across the board led the home squad to 109-50 and 105-58 victories, for the girls and boys, respectively.
"It was the cliched team effort," Clearfield head coach Jackie Morrison said. "The top swimmers didn't get the times they got a week ago ... but it wasn't for a lack of effort that the times were a little slow. We're not concerned with hitting absolute-best times right now, we just want to be consistent and the effort has to be behind it.
"I think the score indicated our depth, but I don't think it indicated that there was some good racing. We'll benefit from that, so credit to (Tyrone). For the small numbers they brought, it was competitive."
With that depth providing a cushion, Clearfield changed things up to test the swimmers and break up the monotony heading into the second of back-to-back meets at Bucknell's Kinney Open today. The results left the Bisons feeling good, as the host took all but three of the events in which it was scored.
"With the experienced swimmers, I tried very hard to get them out of their usual events," Morrison said. "It's hard to swim the same event two nights in a row.
"I really watched our depth today. That (younger) group is making a difference, so the (assistant) coaches are to be commended. ... They are now entering the lineup and making an impact in only meet two of their entire career. That's pretty impressive."
One of those utility swimmers was Alex Fisher, who was praised for his event flexibility after dual individual wins in the 200 IM (2:19.66) and 500 free (5:38.01).
Kraig Peterson added two individual wins, in the 200 free (1:58.60) and 100 back (1:04.96), while Jordan Mumma touched the wall first in the 50 free and 100 free, despite falling behind some of his previous times.
"I think Jordan was tired," Morrison said. "He put in a good work week. He wants so badly to drop his times. I just keep telling him, ‘Patience, my man.' "
The Lady Bisons had their share of multiple victors as well, with Kaylee Bowser leading by example with an early win in the 200 IM (2:44.24), before pulling ahead on the final turn of the 100 fly to finish first in 1:13.58.
Brandie Centi matched those feats with a 27.02 first-place finish in the 50 free, and a sub-one minute result to top the field in the 100 free.
"I think Brandie Centi is showing a tremendous amount of consistency that she hasn't shown in her three other years.
"She's very aware of (her finishes) this year. That awareness, growth and maturity is going to come in handy in February."
Centi sneaked her way onto the 200 medley relay team as well, helping the Lady Bisons come home on top in 2:06.80 alongside Bowser, Ashley Durandetta and Juliana Mellgard. The girls also took the other scored relay race, the 200 free relay, as Bowser, Candise Day, Morgen Turner and Clairisse Peterson swam to a 2:01.69.
Durandetta (100 back) and Mellgard (100 breast) found individual success as well, adding to Clearfield's win count.
The boys were able to wrangle victory in the 200 medley relay, as Caleb Baas, Fisher, Connor Shirey and Mumma topped the runner-up by 14½ seconds.
Shirey was also a winner in the 100 butterfly, while Baas was a revelation in an event he doesn't normally swim, taking first in the 100 breast.
"We threw him into the breaststroke just on a hunch, and that hunch was realized," Morrison said. "He had a terrific swim ... and a very nice time for someone that doesn't usually swim that event.
"He's learning to race more. I think last year he just swam, and whatever he got, he got. This year I think he's starting to pay attention to racing strategy."
After Friday's meet acted largely as a learning experience for Clearfield, the group is back in the pool immediately for a big test at the Kinney Natatorium Open at Bucknell University today. Things got under way at 11 a.m.
"Would you like to be a little faster?" Morrison said, "Yeah, but I'm not concerned. We'll learn a whole lot more by the Arctic Classic (on Jan. 9)." Boys
Clearfield 105, Tyrone 58
200 MR: 1. Clearfield (Baas, Fisher, Shirey, Mumma) 1:51.20. 200 Free: 1. Peterson, C, 1:58.60; 2. Day, T; 3. Swisher, C. 200 IM: 1. Fisher, C, 2:19.66; 2. Baas, C; 3. Et. Lewis, T. 50 Free: 1. Mumma, C, 23.39; 2. Shirey, C; 3. Fink, T. 100 Fly: 1. Shirey, C, 1:05.10; 2. Ev. Lewis, T; 3. Wiser, T.
100 Free: 1. Mumma, C, 52.42; 2. Day, T; Smith, C. 500 Free: 1. Fisher, C, 5:38.01; 2. Swisher, C; 3. Wiser, T. 200 FR: 1. Tyrone, 1:44.06. 100 Back: 1. Peterson, C, 1:04.96; 2. Ev. Lewis, T; 3. Smith, C. 100 Breast: 1. Baas, C, 1:11.79; 2. Rollin, C; 3. Et. Lewis, T. 400 FR: 1. Tyrone, 4:12.51. Girls
Clearfield 109, Tyrone 50
200 MR: 1. Clearfield (Durandetta, Mellgard, Bowser, Centi) 2:06.80. 200 Free: 1. Beisel, T, 2:16.39; 2. Mellgard, C; 3. Day, C. 200 IM: 1. Bowser, C, 2:44.24; 2. Peterson, C; 3. C. Brisbin, T. 50 Free: 1. 1. Centi, C, 27.02; 2. Turner, C; 3. A. Brisbin, T. 100 Fly: 1. Bowser, C, 1:13.58; 2. Cowfer, T; 3. Lumadue, C. 100 Free: 1. Centi, C, 59.93; 2. Peterson, C; 3. A. Brisbin, T. 500 Free: 1. Beisel, T, 6:12.54; 2. Durandetta, C; 3. McAllister, C. 200 FR: 1. Clearfield (Bowser, Day, Turner, Peterson) 2:01.69. 100 Back: 1. Durandetta, C, 1:14.83; 2. Cowfer, T; 3. Lumadue, C. 100 Breast: 1. Mellgard, C, 1:19.83; 2. C. Brisbin, T; 3. Day, C. 400 FR: 1. Tyrone, 4:40.93.
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