By Patrick Sweet ’19
The Saint Ignatius swim Cats did not return from the Canton McKinley Natatorium with the coveted state title trophy in their hands on Saturday, February 25th, but they still put forth a valiant 2nd place effort that would’ve won the gold in many other states. The Saint Xavier Bombers had unsurprisingly won the state meet once again as they have all but one year since 1998. But Stephen Buckles ‘19 has a message for them; “We’ll be back.”
Head Coach Mike Lehto has far beyond proven his effect on the boys after winning the school his third state runner-up as head coach. With a wide range of talent returning in senior diver Alex Claus, a top ten state finisher last year, as well as state qualifiers Cian O’Haimhirgin ‘18 and Nick Hong, the future is bright for the hard working swimming and diving Cats the winter.
But you can also count on the freshman to put out strong performances this year, according to Captain Nick Hong. “The team’s greatest strengths this year is the strong freshman class.” Tyler Hong ‘21 has proven this true with his breaking of the freshmen 200 individual medley record earlier this year.
Hong remarked that the team is particularly large this year, with over thirty five athletes, but leading them will certainly not be a challenge under enthusiastic Captain John Libertine ‘19. Libertine hopes for all of the relay teams to qualify for states this year.
With a handful of meets in their pocket at this point in the season, the swimmers have shown promise since their big meet against Toledo Saint Francis by responding with a second place finish at the Solon Relays the following day.
The swim cats will be back out on the hunt for the gold this year in another exciting season.
