POOL FIRE: Many Splash Clubbers prove they belong at Meet of Champions

Just two years after the COVID-related turmoil dealt it a heavy blow, the Bartlesville Splash Club Meet of Champions is making a strong comeback.

The swim competition had been held for 70-straight years -- 1950-2020 -- before it was shelved in 2021 due to virus-related restrictions.

But, this year's meet -- which took place last weekend -- attracted 220 competitors representing four states (Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri).

"It was a wonderful event," Splash Club head coach Chad Englehart said. "I was happy with the participation this year. I'm optimistic about the future of the event and the club."

The Splash Club warriors made an especially big noise.

Five of them were high-point winners in their age divisions -- Connor Durrell (10-and-under boys), Evan Howze (11-12 boys), Anna Young (13-14 girls), Addie Howze (15-and-older girls) and Griffin Craig (15-and-older boys).

In addition, the club boasted four runner-up high point winners -- Everett Ellis (10-and-under boys), Anthony Man (11-12 boys), Ashlynn Taylor (13-14 girls) and Cody Lay (15 and-older boys).

In the 13-14 girls division, the Splash Club swept the top three high point spots -- Young, Taylor and Melina Megaly.

Following is a list of Splash Club swimmers that recorded top two finishes in individual events. Third place-and-beyond finishers will be published in the next few days.

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BOYS 10&U CHAMPIONS

CONNOR DURRELL: 100 back (1:23.77); 50 breast (:45.42); 100 breast (1:37.49). EVERETT ELLIS: 50 free (:32.44). EVAN MEGALY: 100 fly (1:38.4).

BOYS 11-12 CHAMPIONS

EVAN HOWZE: 200 I.M. (2:25.88); 100 back (1:08.2); 50 free (:27.37); 100 free (:59.36); 50 back (:31.93). ANTHONY MANN: 500 free (5:43.56); 200 free(2:07.91)

GIRLS 13-14 CHAMPIONS

ANNA YOUNG: 500 free (5:17.94); 400 I.M. (4:52.69); 100 free (:56.39). ASHLYNN TAYLOR, 200 breast (2:39.29); 100 fly (1:04.28); 200 I.M. (2:20.06). MELINA MEGALY: 200 free (2:03.89). ANNA WELLS: 1000 free (12:01.8).

BOYS 13-14 CHAMPIONS

PARKER SHOESMITH: 200 I.M. (2:06.53)

GIRLS 15&O CHAMPIONS

ADDIE HOWZE: 500 free (5:14.17); 400 I.M. (4:38.48);200 free (1:57.84); 1000 free (10:53.72). JULIE VILARDO: 200 fly (2:25.76).

BOYS 15&O CHAMPIONS

GRIFFIN CLARK: 500 free (4:50.67); 400 I.M. (4:14.57); 1000 free (9:56.96). LUKE OLSEN: 100 back (:56.39). SAM CONRAD: 100 fly (:55.4). JARRETT MOOORE: 200 I.M. (2:02.7).

GIRLS SUPER FINAL

EMMA HOWZE: 100 back (1:01.32). ADDIE HOWZE: 200 fly (2:11.96).

BOYS SUPER FINAL

GRIFFIN CRAIG: 100 back (:50.96); 200 back (1:52.9). JARRETT MOORE: 200 fly (1:59.89).

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GIRLS 10&U 2ND PLACES

EMILY YANG: 200 I.M.

GIRLS 11-12 2ND PLACES

DAISY DROEGE: 500 free, 100 back, 50 back. ALYSSE DENNIS: 100 breast.

GIRLS 13-14 2ND PLACES

ASHLYNN TAYLOR: 400 I.M. MELINA MEGALY: 500 free, 100 fly. SOPHIA WILLIAMS: 100 breast.

GIRLS 15&O 2ND PLACES

EMMA HOWZE: 400 I.M. GABBY BURKE: 200 breast. ANNABELLE DROEGE: 200 I.M. CALLI RICHARDS: 100 breast.

BOYS 10&U 2ND PLACES

CONNOR DURRELL: 200 I.M., 200 free, 50 fly. EVAN MEGALY: 100 back. EVERETT ELLIS: 50 breast, 100 fly, 100 free, 50 back

BOYS 11-12 2ND PLACES

ANTHONY MANN: 200 I.M., 100 back. EVAN HOWZE: 500 free, 200 free.

BOYS 13-14 2ND PLACES

PARKER SHOESMITH: 400 I.M., 500 free, 200 free, 200 breast, 100 free, 1000 free.

BOYS 15&O 2ND PLACES

SAM CONRAD: 400 I.M. CODY LAY: 500 free, 100 free. ETHAN PETERSON: 100 breast.

GIRLS SUPER FINAL 2ND PLACES

ADDIE HOWZE: 200 I.M., 200 back. ANNA YOUNG: 200 fly.

BOYS SUPER FINAL 2ND PLACES

GRIFFIN CRAIG: 200 free, 50 free. CODY LAY: 200 fly

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Splash Club's Meet of Champions gains new momentum