(Feb. 6, 2015) Despite some athletes battling illnesses, the Stephen Decatur swim teams still came away with victories last Thursday over the Delmarva Christian Royals, and the Seahawks did so handily.
The Lady Seahawks took top honors in all 11 events, outscoring the Royals 118-34.
Girls who finished first in their individual events were: seniors Molly Wooten (200-yard freestyle, 2:20.17), Stephany Smith (200 IM, 2:44.45; 100-yard butterfly, 1:12:99) and team co-captain Carly Deickman (100-yard freestyle, 1:02.64; 100-yard breaststroke, 1:14.87), juniors Hailey Williams (50-yard freestyle, 28.97 seconds) and Zainab Mirza (500-yard freestyle, 6:49.12) and freshman Coleen Lekites (100-yard backstroke, 1:15.90).
Williams, Deickman, Smith and Wooten placed first in the 200-yard medley relay race (2:11.83).
Senior Maria Zweifel joined Williams, Wooten and Deickman for the 200-yard freestyle relay race, which the girls won in 1:58.16.
Mirza, senior captain Hannah Wilson, Williams and Smith teamed up for the 400-yard freestyle relay event. They completed the race in 4:36.01, good for first place.
“I thought our swimmers did an excellent job and swam well,” Decatur Coach Steve Deakyne said. “Delmarva Christian had a small team, and many swimmers swam in off events. We also have a few swimmers who are still fighting illness, but with all that considered I still think the team looks strong heading into regionals. I think many of our swimmers are primed to put up some of their best times of the year.”
The Decatur boys’ team scored victories in 10 of the 11 events. The Seahawks won the meet, 120-39.
Decatur swimmers who earned first-place accolades in their individual events were: seniors Jake Lathroum (500-yard freestyle, 6:16.23) and team co-captain Chris Poole (50-yard freestyle, 24.97 seconds; 100-yard freestyle, 56.13 seconds), junior Andrew Gottfried (200 IM, 2:17.23; 100-yard butterfly, 59.78 seconds), sophomore Dustin Berkey (100-yard backstroke, 1:07.12) and freshman Kevin Williams (200-yard freestyle, 2:09.13; 100-yard breaststroke, 1:09.21).
Poole, Lathroum, Berkey and Gottfried out-swam their competition in the 200-yard medley relay race (1:57.04).
Tucker Cordial, a sophomore, Gottfried, Williams and Poole were successful in the 200-yard freestyle relay race (1:48.39).
“The boys swam well. A lot of them are sick or coming off being sick, but they did a fine job,” Decatur Coach Damien Sanzotti said. “As long as we’re healthy we’ll be ready for regionals. They all improved at the midpoint, and from there practices got harder and we had a busy January with meets. I think they’ll be ready.”
The 3A/2A/1A East Regional meet is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Arundel Swim Center.
