Scouting the State Swimming Championships

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by Joe Maxse, Plain Dealer Reporter, February 21, 2012 6:17 p.m.

Where: C.T. Branin Natatorium, 2323 17th St. N.W., Canton. Call 330-438-2739.

Tickets: $16 each division all-session swimming ticket. Diving $8. Participating schools have priority.

Schedule

Wednesday: Division II boys diving, 9 a.m.; Division II girls diving, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Division I boys diving, 9 a.m.; Division II boys and girls swimming preliminaries, all events, 5 p.m.

Friday: Division I boys and girls swimming preliminaries, all events, 9 a.m.; Division II boys and girls swimming finals, all events, 5 p.m.

Saturday: Division I girls diving, 9 a.m.; Division I boys and girls swimming finals, all events, 4 p.m.

Defending state champions

Division I: Cincinnati St. Xavier boys, Upper Arlington girls.

Division II: University School boys, Hawken School girls.

What to watch

Division I boys: Cincinnati St. Xavier won its third straight title and 32nd overall a year ago, winning without a single individual champion. That depth will be on display again as the Bombers will likely have to hold off runner-up Toledo St. Francis DeSales. St. Francis won all three relays and five individual races last year. Upper Arlington, Cincinnati Moeller, Centerville, St. Ignatius and Hudson look to crack the top five.

Hudson sophomore Alex Obendorf was third in diving last year and comes in with top points, with Nordonia's Stephen Romanik, Stephen Schillero of Garfield Heights and Keith Carmichael of St. Ignatius in the mix. Hudson freshman Ross Palazzo and St. Ignatius junior Derek Hren will both go in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. Junior Josh Brooks of Centerville is top returnee in IM. Hren was second in breast a year ago. Senior Dan DiSalle from St. Francis is top returnee in 50 and 100 free, with sophomore Nathan Christian from St. Ignatius and junior Mitchell Delventhal of Strongsville going against him in the 50.

Hudson senior Jimmy Dagley and junior Andrew Appleby, eighth last year, will challenge DiSalle in 100 event. Appleby comes in with top qualifying time in 100 backstroke. Dagley will also go in that event. Junior Ian Wooley from St. Xavier was second in both the butterfly and backstroke a year ago. Juniors Mark Lippert from Solon, Zack Milenius from Mayfield and Ryan Hutcheson from Hudson will try to earn points. Senior Jake Moore from Dublin Jerome has a strong case in both the 100 free and butterfly. Senior Jack Pohlmann and sophomore brother, Henrik, will score points in relays, backstroke and breaststroke. St. Xavier, St. Francis and St. Ignatius are all challengers in the three relays. Beavercreek in the medley and Centerville in the finishing 400 event are strong.