Sunday, December 12, 1999
St. Xavier wins showdown with Tol. St. Francis
Roll 186-96 in meet of Ohio's top 1999 teams
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
It was a matchup of Ohio's top boys swim teams from last season: 1999 state champion St. Xavier and runner-up Toledo St. Francis.
But it wasn't even close.
The Bombers won nine of 11 events, rolling to a 186-98 victory over St. Francis Saturday at Keating Natatorium.
In the corresponding girls meet, St. Ursula defeated Oak Hills 165-121. It was the Bulldogs' sixth victory this week over a ranked team.
St. X's won without five of its top swimmers (Jayme Cramer, Doug Hausladen, Chris Bushelman, Greg Rauen, Dan Guibord), who were suspended for two meets for violating school policy.
“It's not like they did anything bad,” St. X coach Jim Brower said. “They knew they made a mistake. They're great kids and there's nothing more to say.”
The suspensions gave some younger swimmers a chance to compete, and 14-year-old fresh man Kyle Ransom, the sister of Ursuline All-American Tami, took advantage of the opportunity.
Ransom won the 500 freestyle in 4:56.92. Another St. X freshman, Ryan Rooney, was second in 5:02.94.
Ransom took third in the 200 freestyle and was a member of the winning 400-freestyle relay team.
“I've been swimming with the Marlins since I was eight years old,” Ransom said. “Nobody compared me to Tami because I'm a distance swimmer and she swims the shorter events.”
Despite his performance on Saturday, there is no guarantee Ransom will earn a spot on St. Xavier's tournament team.
“Kyle's a water creature who still has to develop,” Brower said. “He's got a lot of talent, but has to beat a couple of teammates in front of him.”
St. Francis coach Chris Wolford was impressed with St. X.
“There's no doubt that St. X is the top team in the state,” Wolford said. “I don't see a lot of people giving them a battle. We hoped to stay close, but unless they make mistakes, they should win it.”
Due to college entrance exams, St. Francis was without three-time state qualifier Peter Bowers and two-time state qualifier Cory Launder. Two other starters also were taking the test.
St. Xavier senior Brett Burns, who won the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, admitted that the easy victory could be bad for the Bombers.
“We can't get a big head because of today,” Burns said. “This is a good win, but our goal is to get everybody back to state who went last year, and a lot of new guys.”
St. Ursula coach Carrie Ivers was happy with the performances this week.
“We beat Roger Bacon and Walnut Hills on Thursday,” Ivers said. “Last night (Friday) we won over Anderson and Sycamore and today it was Oak Hills.”
“As a whole, the team has already come together and the seniors are showing leadership,” said Ivers, a 1992 St. Ursula graduate. “We have a strong freshman class and they're also coming on strong.”
Ivers pointed to seniors Rachel Tepe, Jaqueline Fessel, Casy Mangano and Caroline Keating as the swimmers who will carry the Bulldogs this season.
“We have 56 swimmers and they're a close-knit group,” Ivers said. “They are working really hard, but the most important thing is that they enjoy it and are having fun.”
The next big meet is in January when the Officials Association sponsors its annual event. More than 80 teams are invited.
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