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Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Celina relay takes third at state meet

By Gary R. Rasberry
Submitted Photo

The Celina 200-yard freestyle relay team celebrates after receiving their medals for placing third in the finals of the Division II state swim meet on Saturday in Canton.

The Celina girls swim team found themselves up a few steps on the podium on Saturday at the Division II State Swimming Championships in Canton.
A year after finishing sixth, the 200-yard freestyle relay team of Kirsten Samples, Courtney McKirnan, Ashley Coon and Paige Mertz posted the highest-ever finish in school history in taking third on Saturday in the championship heat at C.T. Branin Natatorium.
The previous best finish for a Bulldog swimmer came from Judy (VanderHorst) Sichertman, who placed fifth in the 100 butterfly at the 1981 state meet, before it was a varsity sport at Celina.
"When we qualified third for prelims (on Friday), we knew we wanted to keep our spot and try to get better," said McKirnan, via telephone on Saturday, who with Samples were the lone seniors of the five - LaRae Dorsten replaced Samples in the medley relay that also qualified for state. "Being top three in the state is one of the best feelings. It's a good way to end our senior year."
After swimming a 1:40.35 in the prelims, the 200 relay came back with a stellar time of 1:39.73 in the finals, just two seconds off the pace of winning New Albany. The finals time was faster than their winning time at districts and set a new school record.
"Going into the relay, we were really excited and really pumped," said Mertz, who swam the third leg of the relay. "We just wanted to get into the top three. When we ended and (saw we) got our best time and in the top three, we were all really excited."
"Words can't even describe how I feel right now," said Coon, who swam the second leg with McKirnan and Samples swimming the first and final legs. "We just came into that 200 freestyle knowing we wanted to make top three and we came in with a lot of confidence. Knowing we have two seniors on our relay, we wanted to go out with a bang. That's what we did and came out with some medals."
The day in general was solid as the Swimmin' Women scored 54 points, finishing 13th as a team in the meet. The score was three points less than last year's 57, which was good for 12th.
"Scoring points and being on the board is a major accomplishment," said McKirnan. "Last year was the first year we got to do that. We're glad to be able to come back and do that again."
In all, the team added three other top 16 (scoring) finishes. The 400 relay, the same crew as the 200 relay, finished 10th in B-Final action with a time of 3:42.6.
"We went into the 400 feeling confident and wanted to end our season on a high note," said McKirnan.
Samples also earned B-Final status in the 50 and 100 freestyle individual events, tying for 12th with a time of 24.96 seconds, then taking 13th with 54.71.
Additional online story on this date
WAPAKONETA - For the fans that paid their seven dollars to watch the Division IV girls sectional finals on Saturday night at Wapakoneta High School, [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Voters in Auglaize County will see no contested partisan races in the May 5 primary election, but levies in six school districts will be on the ballot.
The Jan. 29 death of a Montezuma man has been ruled the result of a traffic accident, making it Mercer County's first traffic fatality of the year.
A local man faces charges of operating a vehicle under the influence, resisting arrest, no operator's license and three counts of driving under suspension following a traffic stop Saturday night in Coldwater.
HARROD - Allen East High School hosted a pair of Division II sectional finals and the fans in attendance were treated to two very different games.
VAN WERT - It took three quarters for St. Henry to shake off the Coldwater defense and pull away to capture a Division III sectional title with a 51-44 win over the Cavaliers at The Cougar Den in Van Wert.
DELPHOS - It isn't easy for a coach to find solace in any loss, let alone a fourth straight defeat.
However, for Celina boys basketball head coach Chris Bihn, a 67-64 loss on the road to a very good Delphos St. John's team on Saturday isn't nearly as upsetting as the recent play by his Bulldogs.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Grand Lake area will have one representative at the State Wrestling Tournament starting Thursday in Columbus after district action concluded on Saturday.