Saturday, February 12, 2000
St. X swimmers dominate sectional
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The yearly goal set by St.Xavier coach Jim Brower for the sectional meet is for every swimmer to qualify to next week's districts in Oxford.
The Bombers were up to the task, advancing the maximum of four swimmers in every event Friday in the sectional at Keating Natatorium. St.X won the meet with 654 points to 2511/2 for LaSalle.
The Bombers relay teams were also impressive, easily winning the 200 medley and 200 and 400 freestyle events.
The sectional championship was St.Xavier's 31st consecutive dating to 1968.
“The last time we lost locally was in 1968,” St.X assistant coach Tom Keefe said. “I was on that team, and Princeton beat us at Miami University's old pool.”
Only the top two finishers in each event at each of the four sectionals automatically advance to the district, but the next 24 fastest swimmers also earn berths. Every St.X swimmer finished sixth or better, which was good enough to qualify.
Senior Scott Ransenberg and junior Jayme Cramer stood out for St.X, both winning two individual events and swimming on the maximum two relay teams apiece.
Ransenberg had the second-fastest qualifying time of 21.34 in the 50 freestyle, but he lowered it to 21.05 to win the finals. He also won the 100 free in 46.52.
Cramer, the defending state champion in the 100 backstroke, won the event in a season-best 49.84. Earlier in the night, he won the 100 butterfly in 50.35, more than two seconds faster than teammate Andrew Keefe.
“We had some really good swims tonight and we swam much better than anticipated,” Brower said. “We challenged the kids to have fundamentally good swims, and they responded.”
Eleven St.Xavier swimmers turned in personal-best times: Dan Guibord (200 free, 1:47.98), Paul Bonner (200 in dividual medley, 1:56.82), Ransenberg (50 free), Max Leassner (50 and 100 free, 21.78 and 47.28) and Andrew Jeon (50 free, 22.55).
Also, Ryan Mackos (50 free, 22.87), Andrew Keefe (100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, 52.52 and 52.41), Matt Funch (100 butterfly, 53.48), Kyle Ransom (500 free, 4:45.18), Kurt Hardesty (100 back, 51.88), Paul Jacob (100 breaststroke, 1:00.62).
“We're right where we want to be,” Brower said. “We've rested the kids for about a week and a half, but the bigger-body kids don't respond as fast to rest. They will get faster during the next two week.”
St.Xavier will be favored to win the regional next week and is expected to win a record 22nd state championship in Canton.
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