Patriots improve to 4-0 (11/29/06)

BLUFFTON - Jay County's girls swim team took a first big step Tuesday to ending a three-year streak of losing seasons.

The Patriots entered Tuesday's meet against Bluffton 3-0, as they did last season. But this time they got wins from five different athletes for a 102-84 victory over the Tigers to keep a perfect record.

The Jay County boys team came up with wins three of the final four events, but still could not hold on in a 95-90 loss to Bluffton.

It was a big night for Jay County's girls, who got individual victories from just two swimmers in a loss by the same score a year ago.

"After checking the conversions, we had many, many lifetime best swims tonight," said JCHS girls coach Bev Arnold of the meet in the meter pool. "I knew it would be a close meet and that we would have to swim well to win. This win was especially nice since it has been a few years since we last defeated them."

Cori Vormohr again paced the Patriots, who were aided by winning each of the freestyle relays, with a pair of victories. She cruised in both the 200-meter individual medley and 100 breaststroke, winning with times of 2-minutes, 37.16 seconds and 1:14.52 respectively.

Freshman Michelle Landfair scored her third consecutive double win, taking over the events won by then-senior Lindsey Vesperry a year ago. She was slightly ahead at the 25-yard mark of the 50 freestyle, increased her lead with a good turn and fought off Bluffton's Jacqui Garcia to win by just seven hundredths of a second in 31.35.

Landfair took control of the 100 freestyle with a strong second half, teaming with Tina Gingrasso for a one-two finish in 1:10.05.

The Patriots also took the top two spots in diving, with April Acker scoring the win with 154.20 points. Tricia Skiver was second with 141.15.

Briann Saxman was in a near dead heat midway through the 100 butterfly, pulled away in the final 50 meters to win easily in 1:23.82. Ashley Horn led throughout the 500 freestyle and picked up a victory in 7:35.15.

Jay County's boys led for the first half of the meet, but could not hold on despite its run of late victories.

The Patriots were boosted early by a diving sweep led by Donnie McCowan. He scored 176.80 points for the victory with teammates Steven Kelly (168.15) in second and Todd McCowan (146.10 points) in third.

Tom McCord and Aaron Hudson scored the only individual swimming wins for Jay County. McCord took the 50 freestyle with a time of 27.15, and Hudson picked up a victory in the 100 breaststroke at 1:17.52.[[In-content Ad]]