Ursuline's Whitney Myers won two individual events. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        CANTON — Depth, leadership and team chemistry are the ingredients most important in winning a state championship. The Ursuline girls swimming team fit the description perfectly.

        Rallying behind double individual winners Tami Ransom and Whitney Myers, outstanding depth and team unity, coach Tim Beerman's Lions won a second consecutive Division I state championship at C.T. Branin Natatorium.

        Ursuline finished with 322 points. St. Ursula was second with 191. Oak Hills was fourth (162).

        Indian Hill finished fifth in Division II.

        “We won six state championships, which ties a school record, and we scored the most points,” Beerman said. “Our depth was important. We qualified 14 swimmers and all competed very well.”

        The only non-Ursuline winner Saturday was Tiffany Clay. The Mount Notre Dame sophomore won the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.25, ahead of Massillon Jackson junior Erika Templeton (1:06.38).

        En route to the championship, the senior Ransom set an Ursuline record. She finished her high school career with 12 state championships, six in relays and six in individual events.

        Erin Phenix, a 1999 graduate, held the record of 10.

        Ransom swam brilliantly in the 100 freestyle.

        The Stanford-bound Ransom went out in 24.56 and closed the final 50 yards in 26.32 (50.88) to defend the state championship she won last year in 50.87.

        “Tami had a fantastic district and was shooting to break records here,” Beerman said. “She will still swim some personal best times at the Senior National meet next month.”

        Oak Hills senior Carolynn McHugh, the state champion in the 50 freestyle Friday night, finished third, covering the distance in 52.07.

        Myers also repeated as state champion in the 500 freestyle and was a member of the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. She has six gold medal in just two years.

        “Whitney is the source of energy of this team,” Beerman said. “She led off both relays and gave us a great start.”

        Myers was happy with the four golds but unhappy with the times in the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

        “I relaxed the first half of the 500 to save my legs,” Myers said. “I then go big during the final 250.”

        Defending 100 backstroke champion Rachel Tepe from St. Ursula fell short in a bid to repeat, settling for third in 56.69.

        “I'm not disappointed,” said Tepe, who will swim at Northwestern University. “I had a good year and gave it my best shot tonight.”

        Area girls claimed 12 state championships over the two-day event (one Thursday, six Friday and five Saturday).

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