By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Glendale High School Falcons were crowned this year’s SWMO Swim & Dive Meet Champions at the J.H. Foster Natatorium on Saturday afternoon here in Springfield.
Glendale amassed 551.5 points at the meet to claim this year’s top prize. The Falcons easily outdistanced the runner up Ozark Tigers who finished with 291. Placing third, with 279 points, were the Kickapoo Chiefs.
The Falcons picked up six firsts en route to the win.
“Our kids really enjoyed a great weekend of swimming,” said Glendale head coach Steve Boyce. “That comes from a season of great training and the kids putting in the work they needed to do to get us here today.”
“They were all really excited about today’s opportunities and when they got in the water they were something to watch,” Boyce said. “They won three relays and turned in some great efforts in the individual events as well so I think it’s safe to say that our kids had a pretty exceptional day.”
Glendale’s Andrew McIllwain, Colin McNew, Jack Beatty and Michael Jasinski set a new meet record in the 200-yard Freestyle Relay thanks a little bit of extra motivation.
“We were all hyped up today,” said McIllwain. “Some people were saying that we couldn’t win today so that got us all pumped up and pushed us to go really fast.”
The Falcons covered the distance in a time of 1:29.42.
Before Michael Jasinski’s day was over he would claim four gold medals. Besides helping Glendale to a victory in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay he also grabbed wins in the 200-yard Freestyle, the 500-yard Freestyle and the 400-yard Freestyle Relay.
Jasinkski set the tone for his day in his first race, the 200-yard Freestyle.
“I wanted to get out fast so nobody could come back at me,” he said. “Coach Boyce wanted me to get out with a 49 but I took 50.03. I jumped out to a big lead and kept swimming fast until it was over. I wanted to get the meet record and I got it by .6 of a second so when I saw 1:43.37 on the scoreboard that made me happy. I’ll take that any day.”
Joplin’s Alex Crawford set a new meet record in the 100-yard Breaststroke.
Crawford, who also had the distinction of being named the meet’s Most Valuable Swimmer, swam the distance in 57.44.
“Going into the event I was pretty fatigued having already swam two other events,” Crawford said. “I just wanted to go out fast and keep my momentum going. It felt really good to get the win and to set a new record.”
Crawford also won the 100-yard Freestyle with a time of 47.19.
Next up for the Falcons, and the other 20 prep teams that showed up to compete in the SWMO Swim and Dive Championships, will be the state meet. Something Falcon coach Boyce said he and his kids are looking forward to.
“Today’s win should provide our kids with a lot energy and help us to get ready for the state meet which will take place in a couple of weeks,” Boyce said. “It’s what our kids have been working hard for all season long. It’s good that it’s here, our kids are ready.”
SWMO Swim Results- Champions
200 Yard Medley Relay: Lucas Chadwell/Andrew McIllwain/Trey Flouer/Jack Beatty- 1:38.63 (Glendale)
200 Yard Freestyle: Michael Jasinski- 1:47.37 (Glendale)
200 Yard IM: Brayden Cole- 2:02.28 (Carthage)
50 Yard Freestyle: Gavin Schulte- 21.95 (Camdenton)
1 MTR Diving: Kaden Bowling- 397.15 Score (Ozark)
100 Yard Butterfly: Ben Hines- 51:58 (Nevada)
100 Yard Freestyle: Alex Crawford- 47.19 (Joplin)
200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Andrew McIllwain/Colin McNew/Jack Beatty/Michael Jasinski- 1:29.42 (Glendale)
500 Yard Freestyle: Michael Jasinski- 4:50 (Glendale)
100 Yard Backstorke: Trey Flouer- 52.87 (Glendale)
100 Yard Breaststroke: Alex Crawford- 57:44 (Joplin)
400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Colin McNew/Trey Flouer/Lucas Chadwell/Michael Jasinski- 3:15.14 (Glendale)
Top 10 Teams
1. Glendale – 551.5
2. Ozark – 291
3. Kickapoo – 279
4. West Plains – 233
5. Camdenton – 222.5
6. Joplin – 217
7. Carthage – 214
8. Rogersville – 170
9. Nevada – 155
10. Marshfield – 126
