Saturday, February 17, 2001
Cincinnati district swimming report
St. Xavier takes 33rd title in row
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD — Some things never change. For the 33rd consecutive year, St.Xavier won the district swimming and diving championship at Corwin Nixon Natatorium.
The Bombers amassed 452 1/2 points. Centerville placed second, followed by Wyoming.
In the process, coach Jim Brower's Bombers advanced one diver and seven swimmers, including three relay teams, to the state meet next week in Canton. It appears another 11 swimmers, who finished third through 10th, also will advance.
“We had a good meet, but we'll now have to play the waiting game to see how many swimmers make it as at-large qualifiers,” Brower said. “Some of the guys, especially Jayme (Cramer) and Max (Leassner), have to start resting.”
The top three swimmers automatically qualified for the state meet; the next 11 fastest swimmers from the four districts also advance.
“What surprised me the most was the great times in the 500 freestyle,” Brower said. “Tonight Jake Keefe swam a 4:43, which would have qualified to the final at state. Tonight Jake went 4:43.40 and was 13th.”
Cramer and Leassner were the only double winners.
Three district records were broken: Cramer in the 100 backstroke and David Janszen in the 200 individual medley. St.Xavier's 400 freestyle relay team (3:05.91) took nearly three seconds off the record of 3:08.77 set in 1991 by the Bombers.
Here's a look at each race.
200 Medley relay: St.Xavier trailed Beavercreek after the backstroke leg, but the Bombers quickly took over in the breaststroke behind Janszen's 27.09.
Cramer followed with a 21.99 in the breaststroke, and Kyle Ransom closed it out with a 21.66 in the freestyle.
200 Freestyle: Although Greg Middleton of Centerville was the fastest qualifier, St. Xavier's Leassner delivered in the finals.
Swimming the first 50 yards in 23.1 seconds, Leassner went on to easily win the district title in 1:39.37. Middleton was second, followed by LaSalle's Brian Tiemeier.
“I never pay attention to times of the other swimmers,” Leassner said. “All I do is focus on my own swim. Last week I went out slow and finished strong. Tonight I went out fast and kept the pace.”
200 Individual medley: The district record of 1:52.63 set by Jay Frentsos of Roger Bacon fell. St.Xavier's Janszen, a junior, swam 1:51.80.
Janszen took the lead in the leadoff backstroke and extended it in the butterfly.
50 Freestyle: Adam Dehne has a goal, one that appears within reach of the LaSalle senior, who won the district in a season-best 21.18.
“LaSalle has never had a state swimming champion, and I want to be the first,” said Dehne, who was third at the state meet last season. “This is my motivation, and I've worked much harder this year.”
100 Butterfly: Cramer set the district record of 48.31 last season, but the St.Xavier senior fell short, winning in 48.62. It was no contest after the first 50 yards, although LaSalle's Dehne remained in contention.
100 Freestyle: Leassner took a quick lead to win in 45.39. It was his second championship of the night.
500 Freestyle: Nick Douville of Alter took the lead on the third lap and held off a late challenge from St.Xavier's Kyle Ransom to claim the gold.
200 Freestyle relay: St.Xavier had the fastest qualifying time of 1:28.76, but Centerville won the finals in 1:26.44. The Bombers were second in 1:27.71.
100 Backstroke: Although the race was close, Cramer was in control, swimming the first 50 yards in 24.13 and closing in 25.28 for a 49.51, breaking his own record of 49.71 last year.
“I wasn't happy with the time, because I've already gone 49 this year,” Cramer said. “I'm not feeling well, but I guess I'm right on schedule.”
100 Breaststroke: Rob Kauscher qualified in 58.37, but the Anderson senior won the district in a slower time of 58.66, leading from start to finish.
400 Freestyle relay: Cramer, Ransom, Janszen and Leassner set the record for the Bombers.
Cincinnati district swimming results
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Cincinnati district swimming report
