Westlake’s Brandon Tabor had a great meet, winning two events, and was the third leg of the record setting 200 medley relay. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Demons edge North Olmsted for SWC swim title
By Matt Pawlikowski
Sports
Published Feb. 7, 2007

It was a battle to the end. North Olmsted gambled, splitting its 400 free relay into an A team and a B team.

They took second and fourth. In between them was Westlake’s squad of Dan Wadden, Doug Asstler, Nick Pelini and Coner Riley, which proved to be a huge key to the Demons’ win.

Leading the way for the Demons was Brandon Tabor, who not only won the 200 yard IM (1:42.17) along with the 100 yard butterfly (53.67) but was also a member of the record setting 200 yard medley relay team (Bobby Knurek, Matt Maciag, Tabor and Danny Lammers and the second place 200 yard freestyle relay  with Lammers, Knurek, and “Russia” Obolenskyy.

“I think (the key to the title) was our depth in all events,’’ he said. “Everyone did what they had to do to help us pull it out. The relay record really pumped up the whole team for the rest of the day. It’s a good springboard for us going into sectionals next week.”

Maciag, who also took home second in the 100 breastroke along with third in the 200 IM, was ecstatic about how well the team meshed this weekend.

“Everyone stepped it up in all events. Everyone competed very strong,’’ said Maciag. “It sets the tone. The fact that we haven’t tapered yet has us excited about sectionals. We’re hoping to get to state.”

Also having a mice meet for the Demons was Lammers, who in addition to being part of the record setting relay, was second in the 50 freestyle, and third in the 100 free.

Astler took home third in the 500-yard freestyle, while Coner was sixth in the event, and Robby Phillips was second in the diving event.

While Westlake took home the title, North Olmsted coach Eric Dennis couldn’t have been happier with how his team performed.

“They really fought,’’ Dennis said. “We won the swim meet, but what hurt us was we didn’t score a single point in diving, and were dead last entering the meet. But the guys gave everything they had, especially the seniors. They came out and did what they wanted to do, it just wasn’t meant to be.”

In all, North Olmsted won five events, including a record setting performance from its 200 free relay (Ryan Mackey, Anthony Zunno, Jeff Mackey and John Fusco.)

Ryan Mackey and Fusco each had three wins, including the relay. Fusco won both the 200 free (1:52.55) and the 500 free (5:09.40), while Mackey took the 50 free (23.0) and the 100 free (50.01).

Also having a nice meet for the Eagles was Zunno, who was second in the 100 butterfly.

Interesting enough, had North Olmsted still had Kevin McEnnery, who is now a member of Berea, and placed first in diving, the Eagles could have taken home the title.

“We lost Kevin to Berea, it was a matter of circumstances,’’ Dennis said. “But the kids did the best the could so I’m not upset. They are just inexperienced.”

Olmsted Falls placed 7th in the in the event. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Don Liddey who was third in the 200 free with a time of 11:59.69.