CANTON — Miri Trumpower made history Thursday evening.
Ontario’s sophomore sensation became the first swimmer in program history to secure state medals in four events on the opening day of the Division II state swim meet inside a raucous C.T. Branin Natatorium.
She finished fourth in the preliminaries in both of her individual events and was a member of two top-eight relay teams.
The top eight finishers in each event during Thursday’s prelims advanced to Friday’s ‘A’ final and will vie for state championships. The next eight compete in the ‘B’ final.
Any individual or relay team that reaches the second day earns All-Ohio laurels. The top eight finishers earn state medals.
Trumpower was fourth in the 100-yard backstroke in 56.58 seconds and fourth in the 100 butterfly (55.83). She was also a member of Ontario’s third-place 200 freestyle relay team (1:38.18) and the eighth-place 400 free relay unit (3:38.87).
“I give all the glory to God. I can’t believe it,” Trumpower said. “I was really hoping and praying … and I’m so happy it turned out that way.”
Shelby’s Emma Montgomery earned a spot in the ‘A’ final in the grueling 500 freestyle, finishing seventh in 5:13.94. A senior, Montgomery qualified for the 500 free all four years. This is her first time reaching Day Two in the event.
“I’ve done a lot of hard work and I’m excited to see it pay off,” said Montgomery, who just missed out on spot in the ‘B’ final in the 200 individual medley after finishing 17th in 2:13.44. “You have to keep yourself focused.”
Montgomery’s younger brother, Colten, is a freshman on the Ontario team. Colten Montgomery qualified for the ‘B’ Final in the 200 IM, finishing 16th in 1:59.30. Colten was 18th in the 100 butterfly (53.27).
“It’s so exciting. I’m glad I get to spend my last year with him as a freshman,” Emma Montgomery said. “We’re pretty close.”
Lexington’s Kayla Caldwell qualified for the ‘B’ final in the 200 freestyle and the 500 free. She was ninth in the 200 in 1:57.08 and 16th in the 500 (5:23.11).
Ontario’s Grantham Trumpower, Miri’s older brother, reached the ‘A’ final in the 100 free after finishing sixth in 47.03. He also will swim in the ‘B’ final in the 50 free, tying for ninth in 21.59.
Ontario’s Logan Bernat and Lexington’s Trey Nickoli and Cooper Watters all earned bids to Friday’s finals.
A senior, Bernat finished 14th in the 100 backstroke (53.70). He qualified for state all four years.
“It’s an honor,” said Bernat, who is a member of Ontario’s 200 free relay team that will swim in the ‘A’ final after tying for second in 1:27.17. “It’s just amazing.”
Nickoli reached the ‘A’ final in the 100 breaststroke, finishing fourth in 57.85.
“I added about a second from last week (at the district tournament). That’s not whee I wanted to be,” said Nickoli, who was 21st in the IM in 2:01.07. “I had sloppy (turns). I’m looking to fix that.”
Watters was 13th in the 500 free in 4:49.36.
Lexington’s girls 200 medley relay team and 400 free relay team will compete in the ‘B’ final. The 200 medley relay unit was ninth in 1:52.60, while the 400 free relay crew was 14th in 3:44.26.
Lex’s boys 200 medley relay team will swim in the ‘A’ final after finishing third in 1:36.86. Ontario’s 200 medley relay crew will compete in the ‘B’ final after finishing in 1:38.07.
Lexington’s 400 free relay team won a swim-off to secure a spot in the ‘A’ final. The Minutemen and Granville clocked identical times of 3:17.29 to tie for eighth place. In the swim-off, Lex touched in 3:16.99 while Granville finished in 3:23.14.