The word dominant can be overused, but there's no better word to describe Saturday's meet at Cleveland State University's Robert Busbey Natatorium.
In a meet with Shaker Heights and Brecksville-Broadview Heights, the Saint Ignatius swimming & diving team won every single event. The Wildcats notched plenty of 1-2 and 1-2-3 sweeps, showcasing the wealth of talent on the roster this year.
Keep in mind that two of the team's best swimmers – Joe Richmond and Tyler Hong – were in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend. The two juniors were competing in the USA Junior Nationals, repping Saint Ignatius with pride in several events, including the 100 back, 200 IM, 400 IM, and 1650.
The Aqua Cats now have a 3-0 record on the season.
When looking at such a commanding victory, where do you start? For our purposes, let's begin with the 200 medley relay, where experienced Wildcats teamed up with a pair of new faces to earn a 1-2 sweep.
Veterans Zach Toothman, Brian Johnson, and John Soeder combined with Erik Seicean in the winning relay. The mix of young and old faces worked well together for a nice time. Like Seicean, sophomore Sam Hessler brought youth to the second-place relay team composed of three seniors and Hessler. Jack Johannessen, Cormac Nolan, and Kian Carmichael did good work for the runner-up spot.
The Wildcats also swept the 200 free. Thomas McIntyre grabbed the gold with a great race. Michael Bednar tallied silver and Thomas Metz wrapped up the bronze in a good race.
Staying at 200, the Wildcats claimed first and third in the 200 individual medley. Toothman topped all other comers, taking first. Hessler snatched third in the event.
The Wildcats took care of business in the 50 free. Micah Murtha sprinted to first, beating two of his fast teammates. Carmichael and Nolan nipped at his heels, tabbing second and third in the fast event.
In the 100 fly, Nolan would not be outdone. The senior captain defeated fellow seniors Brian Johnson and Cam Marcie, earning the crown in the event. Johnson and Marcie followed in a close second and third for the Wildcats.
The men of Ohio City nabbed another 1-2-3 sweep in the 100 free. Metz bested all other swimmers with a top-notch time. Will Van de Walle and Daemyen Haywood did their jobs in snagging second and third in the event.
Staying with the sprint events, the Aqua Cats swept the 100 back. Haywood defeated his younger teammates in the event, earning the crown as the champ. Seicean seconded the event, and Hessler tabbed third.
Toothman careened past the competition in the 100 breaststroke. The junior rolled past everyone else in the great win. Johannessen and Vincent Elmore clipped third and fourth place finishes, respectively.
A combination of youth and experience formed a 1-2 punch in the 200 free relay. Van de Walle, Murtha, Carmichael, and Marcie lassoed first place in the event, while Toothman, Johnson, Daniel Argalious, and Johannessen lit up a second-place effort on the board.
Looking to the two lengthier events – the 500 free and 400 free relay – the Wildcats enjoyed plenty of success, just as in the sprint events.
Three young Wildcats did the trick in the 500 free. McIntyre, Brendan Kiskorna, and Benjamin Stavar tallied the 1-2-3 sweep in the marathon. Those three names are ones to remember for Wildcats fans.
In the 400 relay, Murtha, Metz, Haywood, and Soeder claimed the W. The efficient relay squad bested all other comers, though Bednar, Hessler, Marcie, and Carmichael pushed them in a fun victory for the Wildcats.
Looking towards the diving, the Wildcats won there, too. Will Claus beat out every other diver, securing a first-place finish. Noah Keim followed close behind at third place for the Cats.
Next weekend brings the much-anticipated Viking Meet. Hosted by Saint Ignatius, the event is made possible by the great efforts of Wildcats' swimming & diving parents. The meet brings swarms of swimmers and parents to Cleveland State's Busbey Natatorium in a tradition like none other.