ASHLAND, Ohio — As one rivalry wound down Friday evening, another could just be heating up for Ashland’s Hudson McDaniel.
McDaniel, Richland Bank Athlete of the Week, defended his Division II state title in the 100-yard breaststroke at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton in a personal-record 55.90 seconds. The junior finished almost a full second ahead of Columbus Academy’s Nate Goldfarb (56.77).
McDaniel and Goldfarb, a senior, have finished one-two in the 100 breaststroke each of the past two seasons. They train together as teammates on the Ohio State Swim Club.
“It’s sad that he’s graduating. I really had fun with him this summer,” McDaniel said. “Training with him was really fun.”
Another club teammate and training partner, Pickerington North junior Jason Mathews, won the Division I state title Saturday in 54.91 seconds. Ashland could be moving back up to Division I next year, meaning the reigning Division I and two-time reigning Division II state champs might find themselves side-by-side in the 2018 final.
“We might be moving back to D1 next year, which pushes me,” McDaniel said. “Jason Mathews is on my Ohio State team, too.
“I would have been seeded second (behind Mathews) in Division I going into the finals based on my prelim time.”
Ashland last competed at the Division I level in 2014-15, McDaniel’s freshman year. He finished 12th at state in 58.32. Mathews was seventh in 57.62 before taking state runner-up honors as a sophomore (55.31).
For McDaniel, swimming comes naturally. His mother and father were both All-American at the University of Tennessee. His mother transferred from Tennessee to Ashland, where she was an NCAA Division II All-American. His dad won an Indiana state title in the breaststroke as a senior in high school.
“I haven’t beat his time yet,” the younger McDaniel said. “It gives me something else to shoot for.”
While his specialty is the 100 breaststroke, McDaniel is also an accomplished freestyler. He finished fifth in the 100 freestyle in a PR 46.33.
“I got most of my nerves out in the 100 free,” McDaniel said. “I still had a little nerves in the breaststroke.”
Unlike most high-level swimmers, McDaniel doesn’t focus on the pool year-round. He placed sixth at the Division I regional meet in the 300-meter hurdles last spring and reluctantly gave up football last fall.
“It was hard, but I don’t regret my decision,” McDaniel said. “The more training you have, the better times you have.”
No matter what division Ashland ends up in next winter, McDaniel will have plenty of motivation. A jump to Division I would mean a new — albeit abbreviated — rivalry with Mathews. If the Arrows remain in Division II, McDaniel could become a three-time state champ.
Then there is the Division II state record of 55.54, set by Andrew Malone of University School in 2011. McDaniel’s winning time Saturday was .44 seconds off Malone’s mark.
“I’m shooting for it next year,” McDaniel said. “I can’t wait.”
