JM and Park Shine in Thrilling OVAC 5A Swim Meet: Highlights and Results

Big Red’s Chandler Hoffman competes in Saturday’s OVAC championships – Andrew Grimm

WELLSBURG – The Wheeling-area teams had a fantastic day at the pool during the OVAC Bill Brubaker Swimming Championships.

Wheeling Park narrowly defeated Parkersburg South to clinch the boys Class 5A title. On the girls’ side, John Marshall outperformed Morgantown to take home the championship. Both events took place at the Brooke Wellness Center.

John Marshall’s girls scored a total of 269 points, surpassing Morgantown (222 points) and Parkersburg South (207 points). The boys from Wheeling Park had an impressive score of 297, edging out Parkersburg South, which scored 263 points, and Morgantown at 222 points.

In the girls’ competition, Brooke, the defending champion and host team, tied for fourth. Big Red finished in eighth place. Among the boys, Brooke secured seventh place, just ahead of Big Red.

Not only did Park and John Marshall win team titles, but they also earned individual accolades. Maitlyn Miller from John Marshall was named female swimmer of the year, and her coach, Timmi Snyder, received girls’ coach of the year honors. Mike Cook from Wheeling Park won the boys’ coach award, while Mason Francis from Warren Local was recognized as the male swimmer of the year.

Brooke’s Faith Farrell competes during Saturday’s OVAC swimming championships – Andrew Grimm

Miller had an outstanding performance, winning gold medals in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events. The JM girls also triumphed in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay, the latter featuring Miller.

For the Park boys, victories included breaking the pool record in the 200 medley relay. Their team also won the 200 freestyle relay, with Levi Parker taking first in the 200 freestyle. Additionally, Molly George from Park topped the girls’ 100 backstroke.

Big Red’s Kyler Snyder competes during Saturday’s OVAC swimming championships – Andrew Grimm

While Brooke didn’t have any individual champions, several swimmers earned podium finishes.

– Lyla Horvath placed fourth in the 200 freestyle.
– Lindsay Kettler finished fourth in the 200 IM and fifth in the 100 butterfly.
– Faith Farrell took second in both the 50 and 100 freestyle.
– Kiersten Harvath claimed third in the 100 butterfly and second in the 100 backstroke.
– Owen Haught secured sixth in the 100 freestyle, and Lyla Horvath also took fourth in the 500 freestyle.

Brooke’s relay teams also had strong finishes. The girls’ 200 freestyle relay team of Harvath, Horvath, Kettler, and Farrell finished second. The boys’ team, consisting of Gunner Yost, Aiden Stock, Haught, and Ryan Kettler, secured sixth place. Additionally, the girls’ 400 freestyle relay team also took second.

For Big Red, senior Kinsey Tucker showcased her talent, finishing fifth in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 butterfly, marking her second consecutive year on the podium in multiple events.

Swimmers take their mark before a relay event during Saturday’s OVAC championships – Andrew Grimm

Brooke’s Owen Haught dives in for his leg of a relay during Saturday’s OVAC championships – Andrew Grimm