Additional BHS Swimmers Going to State Meet with Finalization of At-Large Bids
By Chris Johnson on February 13, 2020
Reed Smith leads the way amongst Bridgeport High School swimmers who have earned at-large spots for next week’s state swim meet at the Mylan Park Aquatic Center in Morgantown.
Automatic spots were earned by finishing in the Top 3 in individual events or Top 2 in relay events at one of the four regionals. After that, the next best 12 times in individual events and next best 10 times in relay events from the four regions combined, also qualified.
Although Smith was fourth at the Region III meet in both the 200 freestyle at 2:01.08 and 100 backstroke at 1:02.06, his times were actually good enough to put him as the No. 12 seed for both events at the state meet.
Also earning at-large spots for the defending state champion BHS boys are Ryan Knapp (16th best time in the 200 IM at 2:21.30), Phillip Malenich (17th best time in the 50 free at 24.08) and Reese Allen (14th best time in the 100 breaststroke at 1:10.83).
The BHS girls, last season’s state runner-up, picked up seven additional at-large spots, including two each for Maria Lacaria and Hope Rieser.
Lacaria posted the 20th best regional time in the 200 freestyle at 2:15.80 and the 20th best time in the 100 free at 1:00.92.
Rieser was 24th in the 100 freestyle at 1:02.07 and 17th in the 100 backstroke at 1:08.31.
Also earning at-large spots for the girls are Vaughn Vincent (14th best time in the 100 butterfly at 1:08.72), Lilly Madden (14th best time in the 100 breaststroke at 1:18.18) and Brooke Wagner (20th best time in the 100 breaststroke at 1:21.71).
In addition to the at-large spots being finalized by the WVSSAC, the psych sheet (seeding) for the state meet has also been released. You can check out the complete psych sheet HERE
Bridgeport has at least one Top 5 time in 16 of the possible 22 events. In four events, the Indians have the top seed.
Randy Keener is No. 1 in the 200 IM (2:01.60) and 100 backstroke (52.72). Marcel Rodriguez is top-seeded in the 100 freestyle (50.85). The boys 200 medley relay team if Keener, Luke Pinti, Mason Titchenal and Smith will also be the top seed (1:43.05).
For more on how the Indians did at the Region III meet, click HERE
Editor's Note: Top photo is of Reed Smith, bottom one is of Hope Rieser. Photos by Kyle Jenkins for www.benqueenphotography.com
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