McCord, Hooley back to lead General swimmers

  • By Brian Questel of the Wooster Weekly News
  • December 7, 2009
  • 833
                        
The Wooster High boys swim program has been at the top of the Ohio Cardinal Conference since its inception, winning all six of the OCC crowns. The bad news for the rest of the conference is this: Wooster could continue the streak as the Generals have a solid core of swimmers returning. Indeed, for the first time in coach Jeff DeHaan’s 12-year tenure, he has a pair of returning state qualifiers from individual events, as well as relays that also went to Canton. That duo, senior Alex McCord and junior Chase Hooley, is joined by senior Clay Matthew, and that trio will play a major role in Wooster’s success again this season. “It’s going really well,” said DeHaan, of the preseason. “You don’t replace a Robbie Sibilia, but we have three of the four guys back off the relays, so we are looking to get back to the next level. “For the top guys, they are motivated to repeat. Some of the juniors this year are looking to take Robbie’s spot – Phillip Mitchell for the 200 (medley) and (Danny) Jones or (Garrett) Jennets in the 100 spot for the 400 (free).” The Generals are certainly top heavy in talent. Of the seven swimmers who qualified for districts a year ago, all seven placed and Sibilia is the only one missing from that group. To remain competitive in duals or invitationals, the key is to have the middle-of-the-pack swimmers step up, although Wooster was hardly weak a year ago as it went 13-2 in duals and placed third at districts behind state powers Solon and Hudson. “The dual meets we lost could be attributed to a weaker middle,” said DeHaan, who is looking to make that improvement this season. “In the OCC we beat Lexington by 34 points, which was our closest championship meet. If we had been DQ’d in a relay, we would have lost. I’m hoping the new crop we have coming in will help our middle. “This is one of our toughest schedules. Many are the same teams, but eight of the 16 have state qualifiers who scored at state, so we are facing some talented swimmers. We’ve had three 13-2 seasons in a row, and I don’t know that we’ll do that again.” The Generals have 22 swimmers on the roster this winter and are led by its two state returnees. McCord was seventh in the state 50 freestyle last season with a 21.69 clocking and was 11th in the 100 with a 47.32. Hooley was 23rd in his event, the 200 IM, with a 2:02.57. “Alex has done more training and lifting than in the past … and Chase came in mornings to try to get in more work,” said DeHaan. “We have two returning state qualifiers, which doesn’t happen too often for teams that don’t recruit or aren’t a Firestone or a St. X(avier).” Joined by Sibilia and Matthew, the 400 free relay finished 13th in the state and 200 free relay 14th. With three-quarters of that unit back, DeHaan is hoping to return to state if that last key piece is found. Matthew will be in the 50/100; while juniors Jentes will see duty in the breaststroke and the longer freestyles; Jones in the back and 100/200 sprints; and Mitchell in the freestyles sprints as well. Classmates Charles Moodispaw, Chris Meigs and Phillip Nolletti, as well as a sophomore class that includes Jacob Ackerman, who contributed key varsity points last season, Rob Chipka, Joel Jones and Jake DeHaan will support them. There is still an element of inexperience with juniors Ryan Vincent and Jesse Jolly joining the team, along with sophomores Cody Neidig and Michael Wyatt, and freshmen Troy Chipka, Brandon Buss, Colton Walter, John Boyer and Dalton Axelgard. Wooster opened the season with a meet Friday, Dec. 4, at Medina before traveling to Warren for a quad against Boardman and Canfield.


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