Norwalk, St. Paul compete at districts

BOWLING GREEN — The Norwalk and St. Paul High School swim teams participated in the Division II district championship meet on Feb. 14 at Bowling Green State University's Samuel M. Cooper Natatorium. St. Paul had five girls in five races. Sophomore Kennedie Frazee swam the 100-yard IM in 2:30.67 to place 18th, and was 26th in the 100 butterfly in 1:09.67. Frazee's time in the 100 IM broke a program record that was 25 years olds at St. Paul. The mark of 2:31.18 was set on Jan. 19, 2000, by Marina Stanberry, who was the first-ever swimmer in school history. Sophomore Elaina Coriell was 25th in the 100 backstroke in 1:10.64. The 200 freestyle relay team of Frazee, Sarah Gocsik, Coriell and Samantha Gocsik placed 18th in 1:53.15. Lastly for St. Paul, the 400 free relay of Coriell, Jocelyn Welter, Sarah Gocsik and Samantha Gocsik placed 16th in 4:12.71. 400 free relay 16th in 4:12.71. "These girls and this team has been a joy to be with," St. Paul head coach Stacy Stoll said. "I see many great things for these athletes in their future. It was bittersweet for Sam Gocsik. She has swam for me through the stingrays program all the way through high school. "I have seen her develop so much over the years, and she has always been a great asset to our team. She will be missed next year." For Norwalk, Lincoln Snyder was 20th in the 100 butterfly in 1:00.51. The 400 free relay of Snyder, Eli Loudy, Braydan Weinert and Raymond McCreary placed 22nd in 3:46.67. Amara Rodriguez was 31st in the 100 butterfly in 1:12.34. The 200 medley team of Kylah Daniels, Zuri Immel, Rodriguez and Raena Ringenberg was 23rd in 2:14.10. Rounding out the team performances was the 400 free relay of Daniels, Immel, Rodriguez and Ringenberg, who finished 20th in 4:25. "We went up against some tough teams again this year, but stayed fairly consistent with our time," Norwalk head coach Nikki Cross said. We had some challenges with illness amongst the swimmers prior to and day of the meet, which can most certainly impact a swimmers performance. "Although we were hoping to see more dropped times, I couldn't be more proud of this group," she added. "We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to compete at the district level, learning a lot of lessons along the way — and with hopes that we can return next year with renewed skills for a stronger performance."