McCallie Soundly Defeats Baylor Swimmers

Coach Stan Corcoran really didn’t know what to expect from his McCallie swim team as they hosted a big dual meet with arch-rival Baylor on Saturday at the McCallie Natatorium as several of his key team members were out either with injuries or illness.

The veteran coach was all smiles when the final race had been completed as his defending state champ Blue Tornado soundly defeated the Red Raiders by a 195-120 margin.

The meet between Baylor and GPS was a bit closer as the Lady Red Raiders prevailed in that one, 164-151.

We all know that competition involving these three schools is always intense and competitive as there are brothers, sisters and otherwise best friends battling against each other, so you can only begin to imagine just how intense the action was. It may have been freezing cold on the outside, but things were smoking hot on the inside as youngsters from all three teams put forth their best effort.

All three teams are focused on the state meet in three weeks, so nobody was totally rested, but what an inspiring couple of meets it turned out to be.

“I really wasn’t sure quite what to expect with several of our key swimmers out today, but we have a ton of depth and that was important in a meet like this,” Corcoran said shortly after it all ended.

“Baylor always has a really good team and I thought for sure that today’s meet would be a bit closer. I’m really proud of the way our kids stepped up today, but we’ll be more ready in three weeks at the state meet when we’re more rested,” he added.

Baylor coach Payton Brooks was pretty much upbeat after winning one and losing the other as both Baylor squads finished their dual-meet season at 3-1.

“This was a great meet for all of us. It’s always nice to be able to race some of the top competition in the state and it’s fun to be part of that,” Brooks began.

“We have a really young team, but a lot of young ones really stepped up today. I liked what I saw for the most part, but three weeks from now is when it really counts,” he added.

GPS coach Roger Dahlke, like the other two coaches, was really upbeat about the way his kids swam and he’s pumped about where they are at this point of the season.

“We were just fantastic today,” Dahlke said with a huge smile on his face.

“We’re in a great position as we head to the state, so I couldn’t be any more pleased. I thought we swam really well across the board as this is what we’ve been striving for. And anything can happen at the state meet,” he nodded.

There were several double winners on Saturday, including McCallie’s Marvin Johnson and Baylor’s Luke Waldrep and Drew Hitchcock among the guys.

Frances Bohner and Millie Sharplin were double winners for GPS while Ellie Lydon also won twice for the Lady Red Raiders.

Johnson may have been the most impressive as he’s nationally ranked and has already committed to swim for the Florida Gators. He was an easy winner in the 200 and 100 freestyle races while serving as the anchor leg in the 200 and 400 free relays.

Waldrep was victorious in the 200 individual medley and 500 free while Hitchcock was tops in the 100 fly and 100 back.

Bohner set the pace for GPS with wins in the 200 and 500 free races while serving as the anchor on the winning 200 free relay. Sharplin was first in both the 50 and 100 free events.

Lydon set the pace for the Baylor girls with wins in the 200 IM and 100 fly.

EVENT WINNERS FOR GIRLS:

200 Medley Relay – Baylor -- 1:47.51

200 Free – Frances Bohner of GPS -- 1:55.37

200 Individual Medley – Ellie Lydon of Baylor – 2:08.63

50 Free – Mille Sharplin of GPS – 24.18

One meter diving – Alex Brumley of GPS – 206.10 points

100 Fly – Ellie Lydon of Baylor – 57.35

100 Free – Millie Sharplin of GPS – 52.65

500 Free – Frances Bohner of GPS – 5:10.87

200 Free Relay – GPS – 1:38.89

100 Back – Scout Chapin of GPS – 57.80

100 Breast – Marley Degenhardt of Baylor – 1:05.97

400 Free Relay – GPS – 3:32.87.

EVENT WINNERS FOR BOYS:

200 Medley Relay – McCallie – 1:31.15

200 Free – Marvin Johnson 1:38.93

200 Individual Medley – Luke Waldrep of Baylor – 1:52.07

50 Free – Benton Grutter of McCallie – 20.52

One meter diving – Porter Parish of McCallie – 236.0 points

100 Fly – Drew Hitchcock of Baylor – 47.64

100 Free – Marvin Johnson of McCallie – 46.89

500 Free – Luke Waldrep of Baylor – 4:34.17

200 Free Relay – McCallie – 1:23.88

100 Back – Drew Hitchcock of Baylor – 48.72

100 Breast – Collin Holgerson of McCallie – 56.39

400 Free Relay – McCallie – 3:04.0.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)