Friday, February 23, 2001
St. X swimmers seek 23rd state title
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
St. Xavier in a breeze: That's the outlook for today and Saturday's state boys swimming championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
The only suspense will come when St. Xavier senior Jayme Cramer attempts to break Nate Dusing's (Covington Catholic) national record in the 100 butterfly of 47.10 set in 1998.
“Jayme's been looking strong and should drop time at state,” Cincinnati Marlins coach Chris Wolford said. Wolford agreed to assess the state meet for The Enquirer.
“He wasn't shaved or tapered at district and typically Ed's (Anderson coach Ed Bachman) kids swim faster at the state meet.”
Wolford predicted St. Xavier will win a record 23rd state championship without much opposition.
“St. X isn't as talented as in past years, but everybody's talent is so dispersed,” Wolford said. “No other school has reloaded, and this year the talent is spread out.”
The following is an assessment of each state event by Wolford, who previously coached at Toledo St. Francis.
200 Medley Relay: St. Xavier will win, but the Bombers won't break the state record of 1:31.22 set last season at the state meet.
200 Freestyle: St. X senior Max Leassner, who qualified in 1:39.37, more than three seconds faster than Russell Hunt from Upper Arlington, should win easily.
200 Individual Medley: St. X junior David Janszen (1:51.80) qualified more than two seconds faster than Kettering Alter's Nick Douville (1:54.02.
“That was a great swim for David at the district but I don't look for him to go faster,” Wolford said. “It should be easy for him to come back and do it again.”
50 Freestyle: An Olympic trials qualifier in the 100 and 200 yard freestyle, Upper Arlington's Ed Matkovich took the summer off. He is favored based on a qualifying time of 21.07.
“Ed's got a lot of speed and talent and is the one to beat,” Wolford said. “Adam Dehne (21.18) from La Salle will be in the hunt as well as the top five or six.”
100 Butterfly: Cincinnati area swimmers could win the top three spots. Cramer is the favorite, while La Salle's Dehne (49.97) and Anderson's Marty Tomes (50.50) are close behind.
100 Freestyle: Although Leassner was the fastest qualifier at 45.39, defending state champion Ed Matkovich from Upper Arlington also is strong.
“Max wasn't shaved or tapered and is the one to beat,” Wolford said. “But Ed always comes through at the end, and this will be a tight race.”
500 Freestyle: Paul Kirk (Gates Mills Hawken) and Nick Douville (Alter) will battle stroke-for-stroke with St. Xavier sophomore Kyle Ransom given a chance to pull off the upset.
“Kyle was a surprise at the district and dropped a lot of time (five seconds),” Wolford said. “Paul has been the most consistent the past two years and it should be a two-way race with Kyle the wildcard.”
200 Freestyle Relay: Traditionally this is St. Xavier's weakest relay with Wolford predicting Upper Arlington and Worthington Kilbourne will battle for the title.
100 Backstroke: Cramer will repeat as state champion with Beavercreek's David Hughes and St. Xavier's Kurt Hardesty the top challengers.
100 Breaststroke: Anderson's Rob Kauscher (58.66) qualified one second behind Brian Demell from Gates Mills Hawken and could pull out the win.
400 Freestyle Relay: St. Xavier will win easily and could break the national record of 3:01.68 held by Bolles/St. Francis from Jacksonville, Fla.
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St. X swimmers seek 23rd state title