With almost three weeks before the next meet for the Columbus East girls swimmers, coach Jill Arnholt wanted her team to focus on technique and some of the smaller details of their events in Saturday’s dual meet with New Albany.
The Olympians responded. They won eight events in picking up a 110-65 victory.
“We put girls in events that I knew they would do well in, and they stepped up and did well,” Arnholt said. “I think it’s kind of hard to get out of school for a holiday break and come back and swim, but the girls did a really good job.” Arnholt said. “I think it’s kind of hard to get out of school for a holiday break and come back and swim, but the girls did a really good job.”
Karissa Miller led East with wins in the 200-yard indivdiual medley (2 minutes, 31.74 seconds) and 100 backstroke (1:07.83). Jennifer Utterback took the 200 freestyle (2:10.89), Cloe McDonald captured the diving competition (170.65), Ellie Proffitt won the 100 butterfly (1:09.97) and Marin Wieneke took the 100 breaststroke (1:13.62).
The Olympians also captured the 200 medley (2:07.68) and 200 freestyle (1:50.44) relays.
Meanwhile, the East boys came up just short of the Bulldogs, falling 88-86. The Olympians led by four points going into the final event, but New Albany finished first and third in the 400 freestyle relay while East took second.
John Roberts won the diving (121.80), Mason Curry took the 100 butterfly (1:00.52) and Branson Young captured the 100 backstroke (1:05.33). The Olympians also won the 200 freestyle relay (1:42.59).
“They had a challenge, and they stepped up to the plate,” East boys coach David Fribley said. “We had some guys that were really, really tired, and they gave it everything they had, so we’re very happy with them.”
