Clearfield swim teams split with St. Marys
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
By Josh Mlot Sports Writer
HYDE - With the end of the regular season bearing down on the Clearfield swimming and diving team, every lap in the pool is an opportunity to get a little bit stronger heading into the postseason.
Monday night featured a big benchmark, hosting District 9 rival St. Marys, and Clearfield managed to split the meet despite some stagnation on the clock.
The girls got two relay and six individual wins in a 104-82 victory, while the boys - facing the class of the district and possibly the region - slid down to the Flying Dutch, 108-78.
"St. Marys is definitely the class of the region," Clearfield head coach Jackie Morrison said. "I think that's the strongest team.
"They're in excellent shape ... They're just bigger, stronger and faster. I think they'll go a long way at states."
There were positive moments for the host side, but Clearfield is still looking for a breakthrough with only two regular season meets left.
"Some people had a good night, some didn't," Morrison said. "It was just that type of meet.
"I don't know yet why times stick. I can only believe it's because we've worked hard, and rest will help.
"On a positive note, we had a couple of regional qualifiers. That's important with a week until lineups are due. Considering what February has been like, I hope we've done everything we could have. Ready or not, the postseason's coming."
Senior Ashley Durandetta led the Lady Bisons in their victory, picking up two individual top finishes and swimming the first leg of the meet-opening 200 medley relay win.
Despite losing some ground in the breaststroke leg of the 200 IM, Durandetta found a way to hang on in 2:39.92.
Later in the night she maintained a length on the competition in the 100 backstroke, touching the wall in 1:11.27. The winning performances were a pleasant sign for a swimmer the Lady Bisons are looking to for leadership.
"Ashley definitely needs to step up more often, and I think this was a good step forward," Morrison said. "She needs to accept a role as a premiere swimmer for us."
Brandie Centi was also a dual individual winner for Clearfield, taking her two strongest events - the 50 free (26.74) and 100 free (59.62).
She also joined Durandetta - along with Juliana Mellgard and Kaylee Bowser - in the 200 medley relay win, and anchored a 1:53.64 first-place finish in the 200 free relay. Mellgard, Clairisse Peterson and Morgen Turner also swam in that group.
"We always want to see faster times, but I think (Centi) is where she needs to be," Morrison said.
Bowser swam away with a win in the 100 butterfly as well, extending her lead and touching the wall in 1:11.25.
Diving gave the Lady Bisons a boost once again, as freshman Jessica Shomo compiled another win with a final score of 194.80 in the 1-meter event. Sarah Lowder's runner-up effort garnered more points for her team as well.
"I think our lady divers came through big again," Morrison said. "We relay on them a lot."
The boys faced a stiff test against a top-tier group of Dutch swimmers, including Michael Proudfit, Seth Dippold and Andrew Cotter, who all have state aspirations. But the Bisons still managed to scrape out some time in the winner's circle.
Connor Shirey survived some early-meet fireworks, as the 200 free unfolded into a gritty battled between himself and two St. Marys freshmen - Jeffrey Moore and Matt Hoffman.
As the swimmers in Lanes 2, 3 and 4 went stroke-for-stroke, Shirey relinquished the advantage before using strong turns in the final lap to come out on top by five-hundredths of a second.
"We're always trying (Shirey) in a variety of events," Morrison said. "That's a good performance for him."
Alex Fisher was the other individual winner for the Bisons, overcoming an early tactical error in the marathon 500 free event. Overextending himself at the start, Fisher had to use everything he had to hold on to victory, staving off a fast-closing Moore in 5:26.75.
"As a distance swimmer, I think he could have swam it better," Morrison said. " I think he took it out too fast ... and we talked about that.
"On the other hand, he did gut it out. Good for him. You want him to learn from that."
The Bison 400 free relay team closed out the evening on a positive note, as Jordan Mumma, Kraig Peterson, Fisher and Shirey came out on top in 3:47.00.
Clearfield hosts its final home meet on Friday, celebrating Senior Night against Bradford.
NOTES: Senior Laura Lumadue met regional qualification standards in the 100 fly, notching a 1:18.34. Scott McKenrick did the same with a 1:18.21 in the 100 breast. Shirey also qualified for regionals with a 1:07.24 in the 100 backstroke, a secondary event for him. Boys
St. Marys 108, Clearfield 78
200 MR: 1. St. Marys, 1:42.85; 2. Clearfield; 3. St. Marys. 200 Free: 1. Shirey, C, 2:01.23; 2. Moore, SM; 3. Hoffman, SM. 200 IM: 1. Proudfit, SM, 2:10.98; 2. Baas, C; 3. Stebich, SM. 50 Free: 1. Cotter, SM, 22.38; 2. Mumma, C; 3. Anderson, SM. Diving: 1. Huey, SM, 193.60; 2. E. Lauder, C; 3. Brzezinski, C. 100 Fly: 1. Cotter, SM, 55.22; 2. Peterson, C; 3. Renwick, SM. 100 Free: 1. Dippold, SM, 48.70; 2. Mumma, C; 3. Struble, SM. 500 Free: 1. Fisher, C, 5:26.75; 2. Moore, SM; 3. Baas, C. 200 FR: 1. St. Marys, 1:33.73; 2. Clearfield; 3. St. Marys. 100 Back: 1. Dippold, SM, 59.06; 2. Peterson, C; 3. Shirey, C. 100 Breast: 1. Proudfit, SM, 1:01.71; 2. Fisher, C; 3. Hoffman, SM. 400 FR: 1. Clearfield (Mumma, Peterson, Fisher, Shirey) 3:47.00; 2. St. Marys; 3. St. Marys.
Girls
Clearfield 104, St. Marys 82
200 MR: 1. Clearfield (Durandetta, Mellgard, Bowser, Centi) 2:07.03; 2. St. Marys; 3. St. Marys. 200 Free: 1. Buerk, SM, 2:11.96; 2. Peterson, C; 3. DeLullo, SM. 200 IM: 1. Durandetta, C, 2:39.92; 2. Stebich, SM; 3. Proudfit, SM. 50 Free: 1. Centi, C, 26.74; 2. Turner, C; 3. Barber, SM. Diving: 1. Shomo, C, 194.80; 2. Lowder, C; 3. Holm, SM. 100 Fly: 1. Bowser, C, 1:11.25; 2. Rupprecht, SM; 3. Lumadue, C. 100 Free: 1. Centi, C, 59.62; 2. Mellgard, C; 3. Orr, SM. 500 Free: 1. Buerk, SM, 6:03.60; 2. Bowser, C; 3. DeLullo, SM. 200 FR: 1. Clearfield (Mellgard, Turner, Peterson, Centi) 1:53.64; 2. St. Marys; 3. St. Marys. 100 Back: 1. Durandetta, C, 1:11.27; 2. Orr, SM; 3. Peterson, C. 100 Breast: 1. Stebich, SM, 1:16.97; 2. Proudfit, SM; 3. Mellgard, C. 400 FR: 1. St. Marys, 4:19.46; 2. Clearfield; 3. Clearfield.
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