Cape swimming teams victorious against Panthers
The Cape swim teams splashed to 5-0 with a 107-53 boys’ win and a 108-37 girls’ victory over Polytech Jan. 13, at the Lake Forest Aquatic Center.
Both the Vikings boys’ and girls’ squads took first in 9-of-11 events, also picking up numerous second and third places to score valuable points. The Panthers only have 10 competitors on each of their squads.
The boys kicked off with Weston Bohl, Brooks Leonhartt, John Bain and Hugh Jack taking first in the medley relay with a 2:03.03 time. Elijah Oliver won the 200 free with a 2:08.64. Brandt Kuklish took the top spot in the IM with a 2:36.96. Hugh Jack sprinted to first in the 50 free with a 26.45. John Bain won the 100 fly in 1:04.62, while Weston Bohl took first in the 100 free at 58.71.
Cole Huxtable dominated the long 500 free with a 4:46.78. Bain, Leonhartt, Nolan Moore and Oliver won the 200 free relay in an untimed event. Ryan Morgan won the 100 backstroke in 1:12.10.
“I think we did pretty solid,” said senior Ryan Morgan. ”We had a couple kids missing and have a lot of younger guys to fill in the races.”
Polytech’s Edwin Gray scrapped to a 1:29.23 time to win the 100 breaststroke, and the 400 free relay team of Luke Carter, Brandon Drenthe, Jude Wiley and Gray took first with 5:07.54.
“We had the opportunity to get everyone times in different events,” said Cape head coach Bill Geppert. “We are continuously trying to get better each and every meet, building our strongest lineup for the end of the season. The coaches were pleased with our performance.”
The Lady Vikings continued to swim hard halfway through the season.
Sidney Caldwell, Zoey Neufeld, Lily Touw and Isla Touw won the medley relay with a 2:17.04 time. Quinn Pidgeon took first in the 200 free at 2:45.24. Junior Hayden Hazzard won the individual medley in 2:41.55. Lily Touw sprinted to a 29.70 in the 50 free. Sidney Caldwell flew to first in the 100 butterfly with a 1:13.77 time. Freshman Lily Touw took top honors in the 100 free at 1:13.85.
In arguably the most exciting race of the day, sophomore Claudia Stazzone came from 10 lengths behind to garner first in the 500 free with a 5:51.11.
The 200 free relay was won by Sidney Caldwell, the Touw sisters and Neufeld in 2:03.32. Isla Touw took first in the 100 backstroke at 1:18.36.
Madalyn Bynum got Polytech on the board with a 2:01.34 in the 100 breaststroke, and the 400 free relay team of Brooke Carlson, Emma Thomas, Aniylah Jones and Elizabeth Merkle earned a first-place time of 5:36.57.
“We had a good meet with changes in our usual lineup,” said Sara Caldwell. “As a freshman, I am happy to be scoring points and seeing how other new swimmers do in different events.”
“The team did really well despite the couple slip-ups we had at the beginning,” said junior Hayden Hazzard. “But we turned it around soon after and gave it our best shot. It’s nice to see the team improving each meet and cheering each other on during the races.”
The 5-0 Vikings host Milford Jan.16, at the Sussex Family YMCA.
Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs.
