CANTON — After making it to the OHSAA Division II State Swim Meet as a freshman and sophomore, Shawnee’s Emily Murphy knows what it takes to compete at the highest level for high school swimming in Ohio.
The junior led the Shawnee girls swim team to a 10th place finish overall Friday at the OHSAA State Swim Meet at C.T. Branin Natatorium at McKinley High School in Canton. Murphy came in second in the 50-yard freestyle (23.34 seconds) and eighth in the 100 freestyle (51.94).
Murphy was runner-up in both events a year ago.
“It was really exciting and I’m very happy with my time,” Murphy said. “I gave everything I had.”
Murphy was also part of the seventh place 400 freestyle relay (3:37.80) with Katie Chung, Aleah Hixenbaugh and Aerika Wieser. Murphy, Chung, Wieser and Adrienne Pohl came in eighth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:38.35). Wieser also competed individually for Shawnee and finished 10th in the 50 freestyle (24.61) and 17th in the 100 freestyle (54.00).
“The 200 Relay was great because we had two seniors (Pohl and Wieser) on that team and it got a little emotional,” Murphy said. We gave it our all on that. I was also really happy with the 400 relay because we had a freshman (Hixenbaugh) and it was nice to see her not get nervous.”
Since Murphy is now a veteran at the state meet, she knew what she was diving into and set her goals high coming in.
“I felt like I was ready and more at ease because I knew what to expect,” Murphy said. “Knowing some of the other girls here motivates me because I know how good they are and it motivates me to work harder.”
Shawnee coach Jeff Brown knew he had a collection of talent on the girls’ side, and he wanted to make sure they were able to maximize their abilities.
“The key was to get the relays in the top eight,” Brown said. “We finished seventh in the 400 free relay and eighth in the 200 free relay. I’m pleased, you always want to do better but I think our girls were happy.”
Britton Weigt led the way for the Shawnee boys. The junior finished in 11th in the 100 freestyle (48.62) and 15th in the 200 freestyle (1:47.46). Weigt teamed with Logan Curl, Joey Ellis and Jon Andrews in the 200 freestyle relay team that came in 14th (1:31.52).
Josie Miller turned in a solid meet for Wapakoneta. After coming in sixth in the 50 freestyle last year as a freshman, Miller was able to finish fifth this year with a time of 24.03. Miller was also part of the 400 freestyle relay that finished 22nd (3:50) — with Sierra Sammons, Taylor Law and Stephanie Kessen — and the 200 free relay that came in 24th (1:43.63) — with Law, Sammons and Hager. Miller finished in 23rd in the 100 freestyle (54.77).
NOTES
ADA: Matthew Wilcox was fourth in the 50 freestyle (21.31) and teamed up with Jon Robey, Mitchell Wilcox and Karl Karcher in the 200 freestyle relay team to finish third (1:27.40). Those same four swimmers also came in 12th in the 200 medley Relay (1:40.62). Robey had an 11th place finish in the 100 Yard Butterfly (53.22) and an 18th place finish in the 100 Yard Freestyle (49.03).
BATH: Logan Rex finished in 18th in the 50 freestyle (22.38).
CELINA: Michaela Wenning finished in 15th in the girls 50 freestyle (24.78) and was part of the 200 freestyle relay with Megan Muhlenkamp, Paige Dorsten and Brooke Mertz that finished in 18th (1:41.47). Wenning, Dorsten and Mertz and Kandace Eichenauer came in 20th in the 200 medley relay (1:54.90). Tyus Temple came in 17th in the boys 100 butterfly (53.52).
ST MARYS: Jared Deubler came in 20th in the 100 backstroke (55.53). Deubler teamed up with Matt Hollman, Dakota Braun and Noah Hartsock in the 200 medley relay team that came in 21st (1:43.34).
VAN WERT: Junior Eric Easley came in ninth in the 100 backstroke (54.10) and 16th in the 200 yard IM (2:01.65).
DIVING: Kase Schalois finished fourth in the boys diving with 399.05 points. Celina’s Collen Byer finished in eighth (369.15) while his teammate Chandler Kimmel came in 24th (117.30). Olivia Schlotter of Celina came in 14th in the girls diving with 337.10 points. St. Marys’ Madison Taylor came in 15th (335.70). Celina’s Samantha Ringo finished in 18th (234.35) while Shawnee’s Amanda Lucas was 23rd (132.85).
