by Devan Matthews
Correspondent
For the first time in school history, the Nordonia High School boys and girls swimming teams have won a conference title.
By virtue of the Knights' dual meet victory over Northeast Ohio Conference foe Lakewood on the road Jan. 26, the boys clinched the co-championship and the girls captured the crown outright.
The Nordonia boys squad defeated Lakewood by the score of 108-78, while the girls edged the Rangers by a slimmer 95-85 margin.
"The kids were pretty nervous going into this meet," said Nordonia head coach Claudio Costanzo. "We knew it would be really close on the girls' side. It came down to the last couple of events."
Not only did the Knights win both meets and the conference championships, they also set three new school records in the process.
First and foremost, sophomore Jamie Wlosowicz set a new record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:06.66. In addition, junior Allie Toaz set a new school standard in the 500 freestyle by clocking a time of 5:51.26.
The Nordonia girls 200 freestyle relay team broke the school record, as well, producing an effort of 1:46.74. The members of that squad were Wlosowicz, freshman Emma Toaz, senior Savannah Collins and senior Jessie Moosbrugger.
Freshman Zach Zuercher captured two individual events for the Knights, finishing first in both the 100 fly (1:03.11) and the 100 backstroke (1:05.76).
Zuercher was also part of the Knights' winning 200 medley relay unit, which posted a time of 1:54.26. The other members of that squad were junior David Tanczos, senior Ryan Dengate and junior Sean VanBuskirk.
Also claiming first place for Nordonia were Dengate in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.54 and Tanczos in the 500 freestyle with an effort of 5:25.78.
The boys 200 freestyle relay team finished in first place with an effort of 1:36.14. That unit consisted of Dengate, sophomore Christian Long, VanBuskirk and junior Kamyar Sadegi.
Two athletes placed first for Nordonia on the girls' side. They were senior Breanne Horrigan in one-meter diving with a score of 210.22 and Emma Toaz in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:08.63.
Costanzo lauded his athletes for their performance not only against Lakewood, but also during the second half of the season.
"It's been pretty exciting to be around these kids the past few weeks," he said. "They keep surprising us with great performances. We're looking forward to the upcoming sectional meet."
Before the sectional meet, Nordonia will host Willoughby South Feb. 5.
E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113