Cougar swimming dominates Patriots

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

BAINBRIDGE -- When trying to break a losing streak, a lopsided win is just what a team needs. The North Putnam girls' and boys' swim teams each got that Tuesday night, as the girls defeated Owen Valley 92-56 and the boys won 101-58 over the Patriots.

But the story doesn't simply lie in the wins. It should first be noted this was the first win of the season for either Cougar team. The girls improved to 1-5 while the boys moved their record to 1-3.

Cougar senior Ryanne Lehr won the 100 backstroke in 1:24.10.

"I'm very pleased with the kids tonight," said Cougar coach Wesley Richardson.

The coach was especially happy with the confidence this could give his swimmers as they move forward with the season. On each side, the Cougars placed first in all but one event in which they were entered. In a number of others, they swept the first two or even the top three positions.

It was a meet that could go a long way for the confidence of a team trying to learn to win.

"I think it's going to build their confidence quite a bit. I think it's an ego builder for them," Richardson said. "They can see that it can be done now and I think that's something for them to look forward to in the next several meets that we go to."

For the Cougar girls, Ryanne Lehr, Ki Werner and Katie Wilcox each picked up four event wins. All three were on the winning medley relay (2:19.63) and 400 freestyle relay (4:53.04) teams, along with Briana Smith.

Individually, Lehr won the 200 free in 2:36.31 and the 100 backstroke in 1:24.10.

"Rhyanne Lehr is going to do great things this season," Richardson said.

Werner took the 200 IM in 2:57.50 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:28.64. Wilcox claimed first in the 50 free (27.02) and 500 free (6:59.54).

Smith also won the 100 free in 1:12.52.

Richardson also highlighted the performance of another of his swimmers.

"Mandy Preecs did excellent tonight. I haven't seen her swim that well in a long time," Richardson said. "She was very impressive tonight and she was happy with that."

Preecs placed third in each the 50 and 100 freestyle. She was also on the second-place medley and 400 free relay teams.

On the boys' side, the highlight of the evening came from freshman Jeremy Ban in the 500 free. In a rare closely-contested 500, Ban traded the lead a number of times with Owen Valley's Z. Provines. In the final 50 yards, Ban pulled ahead for a two-second win in 6:13.93.

Richardson thought the win was only a glimpse of things to come.

North Putnam freshman Jeremy Ban (foreground) battles with an Owen Valley swimmer in the 500 freestyle. The two traded the lead several times before Ban pulled away for the victory.

"Ban is very impressive. I think you're going to see great things come out of him in the future," the coach said. "I'm at a loss for what he can and can't do. He was excellent in middle school. I think he's going to put a strain on the upperclassmen -- in fact he's doing it in practice as we speak."

Ban was also on the winning 400 freestyle relay team with Kyle Smith, Patrick Byrd and Jon Taggart. They swam a 4:01.94.

Byrd, Taggart and Smith all had good nights, with four wins each. They teamed with Luke Kelly to win the medley relay in 1:58.56.

Byrd won the 100 butterfly in 1:04.86 and the 100 backstroke in 1:07.59.

"Patrick Byrd did an excellent job tonight," the coach said. "I was proud of what he did tonight on his backstroke. I think he, too, will have a dominating season."

Taggart won the 200 free (2:06.55) and 100 breaststroke (1:15.77), while Smith took the 200 IM (2:31.90) and 100 free (55.32).

The 200 free relay team of Kelly, Chris Pierce, Colton Smith and C.J. Werner brought home a victory in 1:42.88.

The wins aside, though, Richardson knew it was early in the season and his athletes need to continue to improve. He saw it Tuesday and he expects it to continue.

"This was the boys' second meet and they improved tremendously. Girls improved tonight as well, and I expect to see more times drop as we continue on into the season," he said. "With a little more stroke improvement, some technique, and they'll have it."

The Cougars visit Greencastle at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13.

At North Putnam

Girls' Results

North Putnam 92, Owen Valley 56

Individual Results (NP only)

200 Medley Relay -- 1. Lehr, Werner, B. Smith, Wilcox 2:19.63; 2. Lasiter, Novak, R. Smith, Preecs 2:55.41

200 Freestyle -- 1. Lehr 2:36.31, 5. Novak 3:48.11

200 IM -- 1. Werner 2:57.50, 4. R. Smith 3:56.77

50 Freestyle -- 1. Wilcox 27.02, 2. Lasiter 33.67, 3. Preecs 35.00

100 Freestyle -- 1. B. Smith 1:12.52, 2. Lasiter 1:19.37, 3. Preecs 1:20.18

500 Freestyle -- 1. Wilcox 6:59.54

200 Freestyle Relay -- 2. Lasiter, R. Smith, Novak, Preecs 2:22.67

100 Backstroke -- 1. Lehr 1:24.10, 2. B. Smith 1:24.61

100 Breaststroke -- 1. Werner 1:28.64, 3. Novak 1:42.15, 4. R. Smith 1:54.95

400 Freestyle Relay -- 1. B. Smith, Lehr, Werner, Wilcox 4:53.04

Boys' Results

North Putnam 101, Owen Valley 58

Individual Results (NP only)

200 Medley Relay -- 1. Byrd, Taggart, Kelly, K. Smith 1:58.56; 2. Werner, Zurawski, Pierce, Ban 2:06.60

200 Freestyle -- 1. Taggart 2:06.55, 2. Ban 2:19.16, 6. Zuver 2:56.02

200 IM -- 1. K. Smith 2:31.90, 2. Zurawski 2:48.00

50 Freestyle -- 2. Kelly 26.69, 3. Pierce, C. Smith

100 Butterfly -- 1. Byrd 1:04.86, 3. Kelly 1:13.75

100 Freestyle -- 1. K. Smith 55.32, 4. Pierce 1:04.16, 5. C. Smith 1:04.86

500 Freestyle -- 1. Ban 6:13.93

200 Freestyle Relay -- 1. Kelly, Pierce, C. Smith, Werner 1:42.88

100 Backstroke -- 1. Byrd 1:07.59, 3. Werner 1:19.12

100 Breaststroke -- 1. Taggart 1:15.77, 2. Zurawski 1:19.95, 6. Zuver 2:01.64

400 Freestyle Relay -- 1. K. Smith, Ban, Byrd, Taggart 4:01.94; 3. C. Smith, Werner, Zuver, Zurawski 4:51.35

Next meet -- North Putnam travels to Greencastle at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13.

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