Persinger, Wenger notch wins as General girls second in Youngstown quad
brian questel
December 8, 2011
354
121211 YSUgirlsswim
Promo: Wooster swimmers open with pair of wins in Youngstown quad meet
Persinger, Wenger notch wins as General girls second in Youngstown quad
By Brian Questel
With a healthy influx of freshmen into a veteran program this season, Wooster High girls swim coach Chris Matthew was expecting good things.
The Generals got off to a good start in a quad meet held at Youngstown State University December 3 when they placed second to Youngstown Boardman, 181-152, scores that put both teams well ahead of Canfield (109) and Warren Harding (103).
It was a good meet, said Matthew. We swam where I thought we would – there werent a lot of surprises that way. We only swam two in a quad, so that bodes well for the conference meet where we can swim three (per event) per event. Were stronger 3 swimmers vs. 2.
Wooster picked up one win from senior diver Kate Persinger, who scored a 183.20 to win that event, while freshman Sydney Wenger sprinted to victory in the 100 free with a solid 57.42.
This was Kates first meet as a diver and she really had a high score, said Matthew. She had good score, but she really nailed five of six dives. She was a good gymnast to begin with and shes had to deal with major injuries.
She looked good on the board. Her body is beat up because of all her injuries. Shes also a 50 freestyler and well utilize her in the 50, but shes put in a lot of diving work, which will work out well for the team at NEAC (Northeast Aquatic Conference) and OCC (Ohio Cardinal Conference). Thats a good thing for us – we need divers. Last year only one diver competed at NEAC and OCC – this year well put three up in both meets. Thats a plus for the team.
Sydney Wenger – shes a freshman and she was first in the 100 free. Shes tough and she can sprint. She can swim backstroke as well, but she will be our go-to in the freestyle for the 100 and 200.
Those were Woosters only two wins, but the Generals added seconds from Emily Cornelius in the 200 IM (2:27.40), Allyson Amstutz in the 500 with her 5:49.82 clocking and the 200 free relay of Wenger, Jillian Perry, Persinger and Gabrielle Sibilia (1:46.65).
Cornelius came back to give Wooster a third in the 500 with a 6:01.13, as did Sibilia in the 50 (26.75) and the 400 free relay team of Madison Gingery, Amstutz, Perry and Wenger as they touched in 3:57.01.
Fourths were picked up by the 200 medley relay of Sibilia, Emily Cornelius, Perry and Persinger (2:00.52), Wenger in the 200 free (2:08.51), Amstutz (IM, 2:31.24), Perry in the 100 fly (1:11.34), Danielle Tooley in the 100 breaststroke (1:16.66) and the 400 free B relay of Lauren Miller, Anna Tieche, Lindsay McMichael and Rebecca Cornelius (4:15.10).
Matthew was happy with the teams overall performance.
Emily Cornelius was seven seconds faster in the IM in the same meet a year ago, said Matthew. She almost did her district time, which was tapered-and-shaved. (Sophomore) Madison (Gingery) swam well and she was close to two PBs in the 100 back and the 100 free on the relay. Sydney and Allyson swam well in their events, and Gabrielle swam well. Some of the kids who have been injured and havent put in the training yet still had good times.
We had some people who didnt swim very much. Thursday night (in an OCC dual) against Ashland will be good because we can swim four per event and get a decent look at everyone.
That meet will allow Wooster to get a little better look at what to expect in the NEAC Relays December 10.
Were very even across the board, said Matthew. Im still playing with the lineup, but we were strong. We didnt have a lot of firsts, but we had some seconds and thirds. People did well and I think it bodes well for championship meets. We have so much more depth this year. For relay meets last year I had no options. Ill wait for Ashland (Dec. 8) to see what best relay situation will be for the (NEAC Relays) Saturday. There are 11 relays in that meet, so you absolutely need more depth, which will make it more fun.
