BY HANS HINEBAUGH & ERIK FLYNN
Mariemont High School, already recognized across Ohio this year for its State-qualifying cross country times, last week sent eleven swimmers to the state championship meet in Canton, Ohio. The results from the meet were impressive for both the boys and girls, who finished 34th and 5th respectively.
A component to the boys’ success was sophomore Mac Lewis, who finished 8th in the 200 I.M and 9th in the 100 Back. According to Lewis, once he began swimming all of the pre-race butterflies and nerves drained away, and he was able to zero in on his races. As a tournament attendee last year, the state championship was a goal for Lewis from the beginning of the season.
According to Lewis, “What I learned from this year for next year is to work on the little things so it can make the big things even better.”
As for the Mariemont girls’ Swim Team, leaders of the squad included freshman Leah Dupre, sophomore Claire Gilmore, and senior Claire Mongenas.
Dupre, who placed 5th in the 100 Breast and finished in 7th place 200 Free Relay, 6th place in the 400 Free Relay, as well as the school record-setting 5th place 200 Medley Relay, was, as it turns out, very nervous approaching her first high school state meet.
“I was thinking through all the little things that could get me disqualified,” says Dupre of the thoughts that ran through her mind during the race. On the other hand, Dupre achieved her goal from the beginning of the season of making the top five in a race at state.
Sophomore teammate Claire Gilmore, the 4th place finalist in the 200 Free and 7th place finalist in the 100 Free, as well as a participant in the 7th place 200 Free Relay, the 6th place 400 Free Relay, finds herself at home in the water. This was key to her success as the easiest, smoothest races are those swum the fastest. Gilmore said the feeling is unique and hard to understand unless experienced. Though she of course wanted to win the state finals in her races, Gilmore recognized the challenge her opponents presented and shot for a best time instead.
Coming off of such a successful season, Gilmore looks to next season with new confidence. “I learned I need to have confidence in myself. You have to tell yourself, ‘I am fast,’ and at districts I had confidence and ended up winning the 200 (Freestyle) and got a best time.”
Senior Claire Mongenas ended her career as a Warrior with a fourth place finish in the 100 Breast-stroke.
“The meet was a lot faster this year, and the three girls that placed ahead of me and I were pretty close with our times,” said Mongenas who will swim at Miami University next year. “It was a great competition.” In addition to Mongenas’ fourth place finish and future as a Redhawk, earlier in the season she additionally surpassed a US Open/Senior Nationals cut, the equivalent to an Olympic qualifying trial cut.
Mongenas credits her success to the high expectations of success and backing of the Mariemont swimming program.
“Without Mariemont swimming and (Coach Kevin Maness) pushing me to always do my best and never hold back I don’t think I could have gotten that cut or have ever dreamt of swimming at the collegiate level.”
