By Chris Chaney
Sun staff
As the temperature outside continues to hover around freezing, things are heating up in the New Richmond High School Natatorium as the Lion swimmers are preparing to make some noise in the postseason.
“We’ve really had a good season, some of our times have been our best,” head coach Judy Middeler said. “We have our (Southern Ohio Swim League) meet on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Cincinnati Country Day and we’re looking for some good times there.”
Both the boys and girls teams are dominating competition with the boys currently sitting on a record of 8-1-1 and the girls boasting an equally impressive mark of 8-2.
“We have Jordyn Torrens, who has been swimming with (the Anderson) Barracudas (Swim Team), so we’re looking for big things out of her at the league meet,” Middeler said. “Jordyn is going to be doing 50 freestyle and 100 back.
“We also have Ryan Allen. She does breaststroke and IM. We’re looking for some good stuff from her as well.”
Middeler said that Claire Burns, one of the top distance runners in the area, is keeping her competitive juices flowing by racing in the pool over the winter. Burns is competing in the 100-yard backstroke. Junior Alicia Bailey is swimming 100 and 200 freestyle.
“We have a handful of other swimmers who are filling in spots that we need that will be great assets at the league meet,” Middeler said.
The boys are led by senior Derek Gelter, the team’s sprinter. Middeler said he posted some of his best times of the season at the Coaches Classic over the Jan. 17 weekend.
Juniors Noah David and Nick Flake are also showing some speed in the water for the Lions. David will swim the 100 and 200 freestyle, while Flake will specialize in 100 butterfly and 200 IM.
Middeler said she’s expecting Austin Berger, another senior, to put up some good times in the 100 backstroke and the 200 freestyle.
Freshman TJ Gelter, Derek’s younger brother, is coming on strong in his first year as a swimmer, the coach said. He will compete in the sprinting freestyle races.
Junior Stile Sweet has worked hard during his three years in the Lions’ pool to get his breaststroke to a time that Middeler believes he can compete for a league title this weekend.
Middeler said the experience her team gained at the Coaches Classic should help them as they prepare to take part in their league and postseason meets.
The Lions celebrated their seniors earlier this week in a rescheduled meet against Greenfield McClain on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
From there, the Lions set their sights on showing well at the league meet on Saturday as well as putting on a good performance the following weekend at the sectional tournament.
Both the boys and girls sectional meets will be held at Mason High School with the boys competing on Friday, Feb. 13 and the girls competing the following day.
More information about the sectional, district and state tournament can be found on the Southwest District Athletic Board website at swdab.org.