BY CHARLIE ZACK

Claire Gilmore steps onto the block and the announcer says “Take your mark,” but she hears nothing. She’s in the zone.

Senior year is flying by for Claire. The one-time state champion is back in the swim season, thinking just as positively about this season as last.

“The team looks great. We didn’t lose too many important pieces and I think we have a shot to win state,” said Gilmore, who captained the team last year, and is a captain this year.

Gilmore’s leadership is important to the team. After winning a state championship in the 200 free, Gilmore signed with Ohio State’s swim team in November.

She is excited to finish her senior year, and equally excited to start swimming for OSU.

“Before I knew I wanted to swim in college, I knew I wanted to go to Ohio State,” Gilmore said.

She visited OSU her junior year and fell in love with the school.

On July 1 of 2014, the first day college coaches were allowed to contact high school athletes, she received a call from Jordan Wolfrom, the assistant coach for the women’s swim team at OSU, to let her know that OSU was interested in her.

Then she was invited to watch the Virginia Tech football game at the Horseshoe, the only game the Buckeyes lost.

She finally decided to swim for OSU when head coach Bill Dorenkott visited her home and had dinner with her family.

Claire is one of the three athletes at Mariemont who are currently signed to play college sports. Will Grimmer will be a Buckeye with Claire, and fellow swimmer Mac Lewis will swim for Cleveland State.

Claire and the rest of the swimming Warriors will be participating in home meet on Thursday, January 22nd.  Gilmore would love a big crowd to cheer them to victory.