BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – While ten Madison swimmers ended their season on Friday night at Bowling Green State University, Head Coach Mathew Wade continued his season for another day. The fifth-year coach had to spend most of Saturday digging through archives. What he found made him realize how special the season really was.
Senior Colby Titus finished in fourth place in the 100 Yard Breaststroke on Friday night with a time of 1:02.57. Titus not only bettered his own school record (a record he has owned since his freshman year), but he also finished higher at the district meet than any other boy in school history.
The last Madison boy to finish in the Top 8 at the district meet was Travis Conard in the 200 yard freestyle in 2009.
“I was happy. I put everything I had in all my races today and had personal bests in each race. I obviously wish I had another week but I did all I could,” Titus said, referencing finishing 26th in the state in the 100 Yard Breaststroke. Only the top 24 qualify for state meet in Canton next week. “I was ecstatic to be part of three school records today. We were really happy to break 1:50 in the medley relay.”
When asked about his fourth place finish in the 100 yard breaststroke, Titus replied, “It was an amazing feeling to stand up there and represent your school and your program.”
Brooklyn Maurer became the first Madison girl in 14 years to finish on the podium at the district meet. Her sixth place finish in the 100 yard backstroke (1:02.92) made her the highest female finisher in school history since Sophie Brym’s third place finish in the 200 yard freestyle back in 2001.
“I wanted to swim a good race,” Maurer said in regards to the 100 yard backstroke. Maurer, who has chronic asthma, was replaced on the 400 relay at the end of the meet. “I wasn’t able to stand on the podium or swim with my relay. I wish things went completely different and next year I’m hoping they will.”
By virtue of finishing in the top six places, Titus and Maurer received All-Northwest District Swim Team Honors. Additionally, the boys team finished the meet in 17th place, their highest finish at the Northwest District Meet since 2009. The girls team finished in 24th place.
Hunter Claxon, Colby Titus, Cody Piddock, and Colton Blevins kicked off the meet for the Rams in the 200 yard medley relay. Their time of 1:48.66 was not only good for an 11th place finish, but it also broke the school record of 1:50.33 set back in 2009.
“Being my final meet, I wouldn’t have ended my career any other way. A record (in the medley relay) was just icing on the cake,” Senior Hunter Claxon said. “The best part of it all was getting to do it with a team I consider family and coaches who care.”
Later in the meet, Jarod Lykins joined Titus, Piddock, and Blevins to finish in 12th place in the 200 yard freestyle relay. Their time of 1:37.18 broke a 12-year old school record, which was set back in 2003. The same quartet teamed up to finish 15th in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, missing the school record in that event by just .08 seconds. Titus made himself the thrid fastest in the 100 yard freestyle in school history when he led off the 400 Relay with a 52.50.
Sarah Phelps, Star Lodwick, Kailyn Cyrus, and Alexis Reynolds combined to put up the eighth fastest girls 400 yard freestyle relay in school history. All four girls put up lifetime best swims at the end of the meet. Their time of 4:14.52 was good for a 22nd place finish on Friday.
The Rams had strong individual performances on Friday as well. Cody Piddock finished 27th in the 200 yard freestyle (1:58.82), now the third fastest time in school history. Freshman Colton Blevins finished 31st in the 100 yard freestyle (54.22). Hunter Claxon finished 30th in the 500 yard freestyle (5:48.51) and 26th in the 100 yard backstroke (1:03.69).
Claxon’s times are now the fourth fastest in school history in each of those events. Junior Nick Arnold holds the second fastest breaststroke time in school history (1:07.71). He earned a 21st place finish in the 100 yard breaststroke.
Wade had several thoughts after the meet.
“Monday, we met with our kids and congratulated them on qualifying for the district meet. After we congratulated them, we reminded them that the season wasn’t over. We told our kids that we still had a lot to swim for, whether it was a spot on the podium, a school record, or a higher spot on the school’s top 12 list, said Wade.
“In year’s past we have been satisfied and complacent to simply qualify for this meet. We were all swimming for something Friday, and we got great performances out of all of our kids.”
“Being my final meet, I wouldn’t have ended my career any other way. A record (in the medley relay) was just icing on the cake,” Senior Hunter Claxon said.
