ONTARIO — Chad Wright and his Ontario teammates just keep getting faster. A week after dominating at the Northern Ohio League championships, Wright and the Warriors one-upped themselves at the Ontario Invitational over the weekend.
Ontario won all 11 events, piling up 369 points. Shelby (203) was a distant second.
The Richland Bank Athlete of the Week, Wright sailed to victory in the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke and was part of two record-breaking relay teams. He joined with Naz Tkachenko, Tyler Watson and Jared Watson to win the 400 freestyle relay in 3:21.92, breaking a meet record that had stood since 1991. He teamed with Tyler Watson, Steven Toth and Jimmy Sheldon to win the 200 medley relay in a meet record 1:42.27.
“It’s really exciting because there are a bunch of guys who have really improved so we can mix and match with our relays and still be fast,” Wright said after the NOL meet. “After today, with some of the times we threw down, I’d say we are ahead of where I thought we would be.”
Ontario coach Deb Henry agreed.
“Nothing these guys do surprises me, but they are swimming times now that are close to what they swam at the state meet last year,” Henry said. “It’s absolutely amazing.”
For Wright, reaching the state meet is nothing out of the ordinary. He became the school’s first ever three-time podium finisher last year.
“It hasn’t been easy for Chad,” Henry said. “He has dealt with something physical every year.
“A lot of high school athletes would have shut it down. Chad is a strong-willed kid who has always been able to deal with adversity.”
Henry said each season she assigns a book for her swimmers to read. This year’s selection was “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch.
“It’s about a man who was dealing with terminal pancreatic cancer and how he dealt with the brick walls placed in front of him,” Henry said. “It’s all about overcoming obstacles and I think Chad can relate to that.”
During the NOL meet, Wright was one of Ontario’s biggest cheerleaders. That comes as no surprise to Henry.
“He’s not only a leader time-wise, but he is always there to offer moral support,” Henry said. “He always leads by example.”
Wright will continue his swimming career at Cleveland State University.
“I have no doubt he will do well,” Henry said.
Before then, Wright and the Warriors have some unfinished business to tend to. The postseason begins Feb. 14 at Malabar with the state meet scheduled to begin Feb. 25 in Canton.
“We feel like we have a good shot of placing high at the state meet,” Wright said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
“[Chad Wright is] not only a leader time-wise, but he is always there to offer moral support,” Ontartio Coach Deb Henry said. “He always leads by example.”
