Ontario seniors Colin Cordrey, Hunter Petit and Alex Rose a force in swimming relays

ONTARIO — Most people who are highly ambitious in whatever their chosen craft are aiming for one thing — success. And attaining that can become addictive, and in a good way.

Success breeds expectations. With expectations created, success is anticipated. When one gets accustomed to reaching the top consistently, then it becomes the norm. Second nature at that. A familiar feeling, if you will.

Swimming at Ontario High School is in that place, for both the boys and the girls teams. But, in this instance, let's focus on the boys, and specifically the relay events.

The Warriors have made it a habit in the past couple of years of producing wonderful individual swimmers and have been even more proficient in churning out top-tier relay teams that can compete with the best of the best in the state.

"Well, our athletes have been successful. We've taken individuals to state," said Deb Henry, who's in her 28th season as swimming coach at Ontario, explaining the key to the school's recent achievements in the pool. "We have our own facility, which is nice. We can have our own times for practice and make them whenever we want. Definitely having your own facility is a wonderful advantage. As you know, Lexington doesn't have their own facility and they have an equally successful program.

"I don't know the relays other than I think we've taught our kids to feed off each other and encourage each other. Even the ones not on the relays. That's an important part of our philosophy and it's been that way. We take what we have individually and put it together. Next year we'll have one or two more that will slide in right behind the seniors. Once you have a tradition, it's easier to follow behind that tradition."

Colin Cordrey, Hunter Petit and Alex Rose: The Three Amigos

In January, the Ontario boys seized their third straight Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship and fourth title in five years at the six-school conference meet. The host Warriors outdid runner-up River Valley by 100 points, outscoring them 194-94. They won a staggering 10 out of 11 events, but the Warriors had most of their success in the relay events, where they broke MOAC records in the 200 and 400 freestyle.

At the heart of those relay teams — past and present — are seniors Alex Rose, Hunter Petit and Colin Cordrey.

Petit joined Grantham Trumpower, Logan Bernat and Evan Ruhe on the 200 freestyle relay that was first with a time of 1:32.64. Then Petit teamed up with Rose, Cordrey and Trumpower in an overpowering first-place showing in the 400 freestyle relay in 3:21.90 — more than 48 seconds faster than second-place River Valley. They might not have set a league record in it but they were pretty darn good in the 200 medley relay as well, where Rose and Cordrey tagged along with Bernat and Duncan McLean to take first place in 1:44.32.

The core three of Rose, Petit and Cordrey have had their hands in Ontario's success in the relay events in all four years of high school. Last year as juniors, the three joined then-senior Evan Trumpower at the Division II state meet, where they were 12th in the 200 freestyle relay, jumping six spots from their prelims finish to clinch All-Ohio honors.

"It was definitely nerve-racking because we had expectations for what we wanted to do, so it was nerve-racking with all the people watching," said Cordrey, who also was a member of the 200 freestyle relay team that made state in 2021 along with with Trumpower, Will Bolin and Gregory Tan. "Trying not to get disqualified was the big thing."

"We were very happy when we made it. We weren't sure if we would," said Rose. "We were more nervous in prelims because we were just trying to make it to the finals. I never been there. I mean, Colin had been there but it was also a different variable that year because of COVID. So, there was no prelims in finals. Once we made the finals I think some of the stress kind of lifted off our shoulders 'cause our goal was to make it to finals."

"We were definitely hoping to be there. I was not expecting to make it," said Petit. "Not until about this time last year it was when I first saw that we had a chance and it was super exciting. Probably the most exciting moment of my life."

Swimming together since they were in eighth grade at Ontario Middle School, the three have formed a tight bond over the years with one another outside of the pool, which has trickled over into triumphs in the pool. You know what they say — if the camaraderie is strong among group members, then that creates stronger team harmony, which can lead to even greater results.

"They got along very well," said Henry of last year's state-qualifying 200 freestyle relay team. "If there's one oddball in the group or one of them is not getting along, that messes up the whole relay. They're good friends out of the water. They go to eat afterwards. They go to each other's house and hang out. That helps. We've had some relay teams where there's been a lot of competition, and it tears them apart sometimes, but I think swimming, it's easier than football or basketball. We've been fortunate to have four guys that get along well."

"I think so," said Petit, when asked if the three were a tight-knit group. "We're always hyping each other up. It's a lot of competition. Lots of friendly banter."

"Hunter is probably the most laid back of them. That's his personality," said Henry. "You know when Alex is around. Colin is quiet, though."

"In practice we obviously work hard. We enjoy being around each other," said Rose. "When we race each other, we're friends. We're not going to fight each other because someone won. You also want to beat your friend, you know?"

What about bragging rights when facing one another in individual events?

"I don't know," said Rose, with a smile. "We'll see at the end of the season."

Gaining top-notch status of Ontario High School in relay events

So, what's been the secret for the three, along with whoever the fourth swimmer might be, in prospering in the 200 freestyle relay?

Cordrey and Rose point to their friendship and the support they give each other.

"Hyping each other up," said Rose. "We push each other to go faster."

"I think it's because we're a strong group together," said Cordrey. "Since we've known each other for a while, I think that helps. It's a shorter event, so it's easier."

There it is. Cordrey gives a small glimpse into what makes the 200 freestyle relay a strong suit for the three, but Petit described it in a more concrete manner.

"I think since we'll all friends, I think the chemistry kind of helps," said Petit. "I think from just practicing so much. The repetition over and over again. We're all strong 50 swimmers as well."

And there lies a big factor in why the three form such a formidable team in the 200 freestyle relay — they're all fine individual swimmers in their own right. And they're pretty fast.

"It's all about the times. It's right there in front of you," said Henry. "It's not subjective in any way. It doesn't matter how much great of a person you are or the kind of leader you are, you gotta have that time."

Cordrey might be the most versatile swimmer of the three and has shined in multiple events.

This season, Cordrey has won individual events at dual meets in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley. He was a finalist at the Ned Reeb Invitational at Ohio State University in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, while also swimming qualifying times for finals in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly at the Northwest Ohio Classic at Bowling Green State University. He holds the conference record in the 500 freestyle.

So, what's his strongest event?

"My strongest would probably be the 200, I would say," said Cordrey, who said his kick has improved a lot as a senior.

The evidence points to just that. Cordrey won the 200 freestyle at the Tyger Invitational and he won the 200 at the MOAC championships with a time of 1:51.15, his best 200 time of the season so far.

Rose, meanwhile, has added a new event — the 100 butterfly — to his list of individual events this season.

"I didn't really focus on that much until this year," said Rose. "I dropped a lot of time just from last year. My strongest event right now is either the 100 fly or 50 freestyle."

Even with limited experience in it, Rose has found his sweet spot in the 100 butterfly. He won the MOAC title in the event in a conference-record time of 55.93, was first in one dual meet, second at the Tyger Invitational and fifth at the Northwest Ohio Classic. His best 100 butterfly time this season is 55.82.

When it comes to his favorite event, Rose said it's the 50 freestyle. That event is working for him, too. He's the MOAC champion in the 50 freestyle (23.13) and he qualified for the finals in the event at the Northwest Ohio Classic, winning the consolation final.

Petit has made has mark in the freestyle events. He said he's strongest in the 50 freestyle, and is shooting for a personal-best time in the event.

"I wanna go under 22 [seconds] in the 50," said Petit, while adding his underwater work and starts have only enhanced his times. "A 21.99 I'd be happy with."

Petit's best 50 free time this year is 23.04. He won the 50 free at the Tyger Invitational, was second behind Rose at the MOAC Championships and was a finalist at the Northwest Ohio Classic with a 12th-place finish. He's also produced top performances in the 100 freestyle, in which he placed second at the MOAC Championships and Ned Reeb Invitational- B Flight.

Petit, Rose and Cordrey have played a big part in the Ontario's boys teams being undefeated in dual meets this season, beating local schools Lexington, Shelby, Crestview and Mansfield Senior. Maybe even more impressive as individuals, all three have either won, come in second or third every time they have swam in a dual meet this season, whether in an individual or relay event.

Those high-water marks they've produced as individual swimmers translates over as a whole. Put them together on a team and they become potent.

"They each have excellent work ethics," said Henry. "We're fine-tuning little things like catching the water and finishing underwater, but for the most part they are stronger swimmers. They got stronger in the offseason and they continue to work. They're at all the practices. They're leaders in the water. The other kids can look up to them and watch what they're doing."

As good as they are in the 200 free relay, how do they determine the swimming order?

"Who leads off is usually who has the best start and can get off the blocks quick," said Henry. "You can use your leadoff time for school, state or national records. The other ones, they have a relay start, so it's faster than a dead start. We have to pick who's the best at getting off the blocks the quickest, and then we watch how they play off of each other."

"Hunter is one of our fastest out of the blocks," explained Rose. "When trying to decide who's trying to lead off, our leadoff is gonna be who's the fastest out of the blocks. Hunter is very good at getting off the blocks fast. So, that helps us out in our relays being able to get out fast. Then, we all have our own strong suits once we get in the water."

Henry said Evan's brother, Grantham, has been the main leadoff swimmer in the 200 freestyle relays. As a freshman, Trumpower is already on his way to becoming one of the premier swimmers in school history, winning the 100 freestyle and 200 IM (setting a conference record) at the MOAC Championships.

"Grantham is new and he's been leading off because we need good 50 times and 100 times individually," said Henry. "He came onto the team late, halfway through the season. He's got a good start, so it will either be him or Alex leading off. Normally your second-fastest or your swimmer that does well in catching up will swim last, and that's Colin. He can just take off and go."

"It's a toss-up right now," said Cordrey, regarding the preferred relay order. "Who goes first or second is either Grantham or Hunter. One of those two. Then Alex goes third and I'm last."

Chasing an OHSAA state swimming championship

With Rose, Cordrey and Petit already getting a sniff of what it feels like to participate in a state final as juniors and become All-Ohioans, they're looking to take it one more step as seniors in the 200 freestyle relay. Even more promising is that they each feel this year's team is even better.

So, are they really better this year?

"Yeah, we're better," said Cordrey.

"Yes, we are," said Rose, confidently. "This past weekend, we went our time that we had in state prelims last year. We were never that close to that this time in the year. We're hoping to be that fast or faster when we get to state."

"Yeah, we're better," said Petit. "Last week at the Akron meet (Northwest Classic) we broke our state time. We expect to be back this year."

"Oh, yeah," said Henry. "They're already ahead of the time that went to state last year."

Rose said they want to set as many school records as possible, starting with one in the 200 free relay.

"We have goals as a relay team to get as close to the school record as we can," he said. "The boys 200 freestyle relay record at Ontario is 1:27.32. We're closer to the school record in the 400."

Say what? You mean they have a shot at qualifying and winning state in two relay events?

"We're also shooting for the school record for it," said Petit. "We're about less than five seconds off it. It's definitely doable."

"Yeah, we have a pretty good chance there, too," said Cordrey, elaborating that it could be more difficult because it is longer than the 200.

"Yeah, we'd like to make it," said Rose. "Last year we were disqualified at districts in the event. We're also a lot faster in that event this year. The 400 relay is looking stronger than last year."

Petit even thinks it's possible they go further in the 400 freestyle.

"I think we'll make it in both," he said. "We'll probably do better in the 400."

"Well, that one should get to state also," said Henry, who said she expects Trumpower to swim in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays with Petit, Rose and Cordrey once the postseason starts. "They're a little further off the school record in that one. They will get both of those to state. They want to get the school record because Chad, one of the coaches, has it. So they wanna get that record.

"They can get to state in both, but the 400 is going to be a little bit harder."

The chances for returning to state in the 200 free relay and making a fresh appearance in the 400 free relay look promising for the three seniors. Although none of them is sure if they will or want to swim after high school at the college level, going out with a bang by capturing a state title or maybe even two doesn't seem like a bad way to end a swimming career.

"Yeah, that would be nice," said Rose.

jsimpson@gannett.com

Twitter-@JamesSimpsonII

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Colin Cordrey, Hunter Petit, Alex Rose shine for Ontario High School