MANSFIELD — He had a Batman logo shaved in the back of his head, but Chad Wright’s performance was more Superman than Dark Knight.
The Ontario senior won two individual events and anchored two winning relay teams at the Division II sectional meet at Malabar’s Frank Bartholow Natatorium, helping the Warriors to a runner-up finish.
Lexington won the sectional title with 433 points. Ontario (425) was second, while Colonel Crawford (251) was a distant third. Galion (231), Shelby (175) Madison (167), Willard (86), St. Peter’s (80), Wynford (41) and Bucyrus (27) rounded out the 10-team field.
Wright and some of his teammates visited the barber in the days leading up to Saturday’s sectional meet.
“I’ve always liked Batman, especially the Dark Knight series,” Wright said. “Last year we wore superhero t-shirts and I wore Batman. We took it one step further with the hair this year. We went to Barber Chair One and Thomas (Thornton) did a really good job.
“That was really fun for us.”
Wright and teammates Tyler Watson, Jared Watson and Naz Tkachenko put an exclamation point on Saturday’s festivities with a record-shattering performance in the 400 yard freestyle relay. The quartet broke sectional and pool records, finishing in 3:21.80 — nearly eight seconds ahead of runner-up Lexington (3:29.11)
“It’s not our (school) record and it wasn’t even their seed time,” Ontario coach Deb Henry said. “Most of the boys aren’t tapered.”
The foursome of Wright, Tyler Watson, Jimmy Sheldon and Tkachenko won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:31.62. Ontario’s 200 medley relay team of Andrew Jolley, Steven Toth, Kyle Cordrey and Sheldon set the sectional record in 1:44.32.
Individually, Wright won the 100 butterfly (54.09) and 100 backstroke (56.14) while Tkachenko won the 100 freestyle in 49.02.
“I don’t think anybody had their best swims here, which is good,” Wright said. “I think we’re set up really well for districts. Nobody swam out of their minds, which is actually a good thing.
“We’re a little disappointed we didn’t win the sectional again, but we’re shooting for districts and state.”
The area’s other individual boys sectional champs in Division II were Galion’s Sam DeNero in the 50 freestyle (22.02) and Lexington’s Evan Heth in the diving competition (510.45). The diving competition was held Friday at Oak Harbor.
“Evan broke his own school record in an 11-dive set by 83 points,” Lex coach Brock Spurling said. “I don’t know the history of the area as far as diving, but I’d have to believe it’s the first time anybody’s ever broken 500 points in diving.”
Sweep: The Lexington girls matched the boys with a sectional title of their own. Lady Lex piled up 468 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Colonel Crawford (354). Ontario (227) was third, while Mansfield Christian (194) was fourth and Galion (174) was fifth.
Madison (162), Shelby (151), St. Peter’s (113), Willard (75), Crestline (47), Bucyrus (44), Wynford (35) and Crestview (14) rounded out the field.
“We knew Colonel Crawford was going to present a challenge on the girls side. They beat us in a dual meet back in December,” Spurling said. “The biggest factor was our depth.”
Lady Lex boasted five individual champs. Ashley Basham won the 200 individual medley (2:23.25) and the 100 butterfly (1:03.18). Sammie Basinger was first in the 200 freestyle (2:05.47), while Kelsi Brown won the 100 backstroke (1:01.75) and Alaina Merkel took first in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.71). The 200 individual medley relay team of Kelsi Brown, Merkel, Basham and Abbie Kaple won in 1:55.17.
“Overall, I’m very happy with the majority of our results. Our kids have put themselves in a very good position moving forward to next week.”
Mansfield Christian’s Abby Reynolds won a pair of individual titles. She was first in the 50 freestyle (25.10) and the 100 freestyle (55.55).
Division I: The Division I sectional ran in conjunction with the Division II meet. Ashland and Mansfield Senior were the only Division I schools in attendance. The Arrows won the boys and girls sectional titles.
Qualifiers: There were no automatic district qualifiers to come out of Saturday’s sectional meets at Malabar. All district qualifiers are determined by times from Saturday’s four sectional meets.
“We’ll know who made it through by (Sunday) morning,” Madison coach Matt Wade said. “This is my fifth year at Madison and this is the best we’ve done at sectionals. I couldn’t be prouder.
“Our kids swam lights-out. Now we just have to wait and see.”
