Emerging Lakewood, Newark swim teams find right mix of youth, experience

NEWARK — Fresh faces have given a jolt to the Newark and Lakewood swim teams, but the seniors are not quite ready for their time in the pool to run out.

A mix of youth and experience was on display Friday when the Wildcats hosted the Lancers, Central Crossing and West Muskingum at the Licking County Family YMCA.

"It's awesome," Lakewood senior Emma Graham said following the Lancers’ victory in the 200 freestyle relay (2:10.39). She was joined by classmate Abby Thompson, junior Landry Driskel and freshman Iris Woodall.

"Over the past couple years, we have been growing a lot,” Graham added. “The girls I am with now are really close, and we have had a freshman come up, who's really good and kind of brought everything together. It's a privilege to work with them and swim with them."

The same foursome previously won the 200 medley relay (2:30.64), and Woodall (2:51.46) and Graham (3:09.42) took the top two spots in the 200 individual medley.

Newark freshman Maryn Hatfield raced to a runner-up finish in the 50 free (30.80) in her only event of the night. Classmate Savanna Tonjes-Barnes took runner-up in the 200 free (3:11) to Lakewood junior Kyleigh Martin (3:02.73).

"(The freshmen) have been anything but great. I love every single one of them," said Newark senior Halen Swickard, who later won the 100 butterfly (1:26.12). "They always add to the competition. They are always willing to push themselves especially in new events."

Central Crossing provided stiff competition in the boys meet, but Newark did not finish far behind its Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division foe.

Seniors Will Chiacchira and R.J. Sands and juniors Mitchell Mazzone and Jeremy Schweiger won the 200 free relay (2:08.16). Mazzone in the 200 free (2:45.58) and 400 free (5:54.65), senior Mason Boyd in the 100 free (1:14.98) and sophomore Ben Hammond in the 100 fly (1:26.37) all took runner-up in individual events.

"We are doing pretty well," Boyd said. "All of our new swimmers are really making improvements during practice. I am glad more guys are joining because it helps us score points as a team. We are getting pumped for sectionals and OCCs."

Lakewood junior Ashton Spasky showed an impressive finishing kick to win the 100 backstroke (1:15.49). He later took runner-up in the 100 breaststroke (1:20.69).

"A lot of times, I look out of the side of my eyes, and I see someone," Spasky said. "If they are right there, I might as well try to beat them as best as I can. It pushes you a little bit harder. ... I really try to push it in the back half of my races because I have to use what I have left."

Talent is as deep and spread out as it has ever been in the Licking County League, and the Lakewood girls are eager to make a name for themselves next month.

Freshman Kara Weekly and Driskel took the top two spots in the 100 breaststroke. Mitchell won the 400 free (6:20.71)

"Obviously, my goal is to go to districts," Graham said. "I don't think I am good enough to go to state, but I'd like to dream. You never know. As it comes down to those final meets, getting to work with the team I have is really what I love."

Newark senior Lauren Chadock was just edged out for the victory in the 100 free (1:19.18) by seven-hundredths of a second, and sophomore Morgan Woodruff matched her in the 400 free (6:58.59).

Chadock is relishing her time left in the pool.

"I like to reminisce about the past four years and the people that I have known and a lot of people I would have never met and how much I will miss them," Chadock said. "I have made so many good friends."

Swickard announced Friday she has accepted an offer to join Ohio State’s rowing team next season. She will still be on the water, but no longer representing Newark will be bittersweet.

"(Coach Madeline Black) has really made an emphasis on it being a team and a family," Swickard said. "I love every part of it. It's kind of sad to go. I don't want to go."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @newarkurt

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Lakewood, Newark swim teams find right mix of youth, experience