The Mansfield Senior Tygers took first place in both boys’ and girls’ swim teams against the Madison Rams at the Frank Bartholow Natatorium on Tuesday evening.
Before assuming their positions at the starting blocks, the Tygers executed the traditional “pounding of the paw,” in which team members struck the sign hanging above their locker room, titled “pound the paw.” Regardless of whether that pre-game ritual might have given an edge, one thing is certain: practice paid off early for the Tygers.
Two-year state qualifier Hutch Blackstone took first in each of his events: 100 fly (1:01.85), 100 breaststroke (1:06.32), 200 medley relay (1:56.40), and 400 free relay (3:58.57).
Fellow relay members and freshman Drew Weeks and sophomore Coleman Proffitt, matched that feat in their events. Although a newcomer to the team, Weeks made waves, going 2:02.96 in the 200 free and 5:33.19 in the 500 free. Proffitt, also a freshman, clocked a time of 2:38.63 in the 200 IM and 1:12.07 in the 100 back.
For the Madison Rams boys, Colby Titus picked up two individual victories in the 50 free (24.94) and 100 free (57.51). The 200 free relay of Jarod Lykins, Cody Piddock, Ryan Phelps, and Hunter Claxon, also earned first with the time of 1:54.21.
Overall, the Mansfield Senior Tygers boys edged the Madison Rams, 90-80.
In girls competition, the Lady Tygers topped the Rams, 83-69.
The Mansfield Senior relay team of Danielle Boddy, Tobi Zeller, Grace Haring, and Sammie Lehman kicked off the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay (2:05.36) and kept the momentum going until the end with the 400 free relay (4:19.22).
Zeller took first in both of her individual events: 50 free (27.50) and 500 free (6:10.33). Lehman added another first place victory to the Lady Tygers’ tally in the 100 fly (1:20.67), as well as Haring in the 100 free (1:00.90).
Additionally, the 200 free relay of Liz Wolfe, Brianna Jones, Olivia Harriger, and Tajani Wade clocked in at first with 2:04.52.
The Rams saw individual success from Brooklyn Maurer in the 200 free (2:15.01) and 100 back (1:08.66) and from Josephine Bundgaard in the 200 IM (2:33.21) and 100 breast (1:16.07).
Coach Shoenfelt remarked that his swimmers performed well and have dropped their times from the time trials they swam during practice. “The boys fell behind after the 200 free relay, so it was pretty tight, but they were able to come back in the end and win. And the girls also had a close race when Madison narrowed the gap there for a bit.”
He added, “It was nice to see a lot of competition and we’ve got a tough lineup coming up this weekend.”
Madison coach Matt Wade was also pleased with how his swimmers performed: “We’re a lot further along now than we were four years ago when I took over. The kids have come a long way and that’s just a testament to how hard they’ve been working this season.”
Both Mansfield Senior and Madison will compete this Saturday — Madison at the Shelby Invite at 9 a.m. and Mansfield Senior at home against Lima Senior at 10 a.m.
