UNIVERSITY PARK — Fourteen Bison Swimmers and Divers qualified for the PIAA State Championships after racing to the top at the regional meet at Penn State University.
The boys repeated their District VI-IX Regional Championship success, winning the team crown with 274 points. Bellefonte stole the girl’s title with 199, while Clearfield finished second with 184.
\”I was pretty happy,\” said head swimming coach Jackie Morrison of her teams’ performances. \”There are so many highs and lows; it’s so mentally draining. You have a kid, who goes out and does great, but the next has a terrible day. It’s just a roller coaster filled with emotional highs and lows.\”
The Bisons were led by swimmer Shay Flanagan who will compete in four events at the state meet.
Flanagan dominated his individual events, owning the 200 free (1:46.62), while shattering a meet record in the 500 ( 4:51.27), en route two individual crowns.
\”Shay, to me, was the swimmer of the meet,\” said Morrison. \”I don’t think anyone on another team or our team could touch his performances. He just had a phenomenal meet and I’ve never seen him swim better.\”
Flanagan was also a part of the 200 medley and 400 free relay teams, who finished at the top.
Clearfield’s 200 medley relay team of Brandon Boyer, Mark Krchnak, Logan Shirey and Flanagan broke a regional record with a 1:42.05 time to win the event.
The Bisons also took the 400 free with the relay team of Boyer, Chris and John Bodle and Flanagan (3:22.52).
Morrison was impressed with her boys’ relay performances when she said, \”I think the boys did a phenomenal job in the relays The times were fast, but I do think they can swim faster. Even though they didn‘t qualify, I‘m still proud of my 200 free team, because they had a strong swim and time.\”
Shirey finished second in both the 100 fly (57.39) and 100 breaststroke (1:03.22).
Although Shirey didn’t win, Morrison was pleased with his performance. \”Logan Shirey had a great weekend. He placed second in two tough events, the fly and breaststroke, that were really loaded. I think Logan has the opportunity to do even better at states. He can swim a whole lot faster and I think he knows that. He was pretty tense at regionals, not to take anything away from his performance, because he had a great meet. He’ll be more relaxed at states, because you don’t have to worry about qualifying. You’re already there.\”
Steven Williams also finished second in the one meter dive with 325 points.
On the girl’s side, Clearfield had two individual winners in Carolyn Shurer and Jennifer Williams.
Shurer won the 500 free with a 5:31.97 time, while Williams took the one meter dive with 337.85 points.
\”Carolyn had an awesome race, \”said Morrison. \”It was very close. In second was Bradford’s Erica Pascarella. They’ve been battling all season, but Carolyn got the edge and won. It was a fun race to watch.\”
The Lady Bison relay team of Chelsey Dufour, Branda Smeltzer, Shurer and Marisa Howell were victorious in the 200 free (1:45.11).
Dufour also placed second in the 100 backstroke with a 1:02.28 time.
\”Chelsey had a really strong swim and a career best in the backstroke,\” said Morrison. \”This is the first time they’ll [Shurer and Dufour] qualify in individual events. Both have been there and competed in relays. For Dufour, this is a great reward after four years of hard work, and for Shurer, it will be a great learning experience.\”
Also qualifying for states was the 200 medley relay team of Dufour, Allison White, Shelbie King and Shurer. The team notched second with a 1:58.76 time.
Morrison was still heartbroken, despite having two girl‘s relay teams qualify for states, while the 400 free relay team false started and was disqualified for the event.
\”We lost all our team points for that event, and in essence, lost the meet,\” explained Morrison. \”We needed sixth or better and to make our exchanges safe. One of my girls left early. It would have been bittersweet, because the boys had already won. But, it happens and I should have reminded them not to false start. Relays win championships and disqualifying loses them.\”
Overall, Morrison was pleased with the individual performances, including those who didn’t make the cut.
\”All of the kids swam well. We’re taking 14 kids to the state meet, which means ten didn’t make it. They swam their hearts out and there were some fabulous times. They all contributed and performed well. I’m looking forward to working with them next season.\”
Clearfield’s qualifiers will return to action March 13-17 at the PIAA State Championships at Bucknell University.
