Bridgeport boys and girls took victories in Saturday’s Splash Invitational at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. The Lady Indians took first place in a close margin to Parkersburg High with scores of 256 and 252, respectively. The boys scored 272 with Parkersburg in second place with 220 points. A total of 11 girls’ teams and 12 boys’ teams competed.

 

The Tribe’s Randy Keener broke two event records: A 2014 record for the 200-yard freestyle race held by and a 2005 record for the 100-yard backstroke event. The 200-free record of 1:50.54 was held by Sean Snider. Keener swam it in 1:48.89. The 100-back record of 54.38 was held by Bridgeport alum Michael Walker. Keener finished the race in 53.03.

 

“We had some nice competition,” said Coach Jan Grisso. “(Assistant Coach) Wendy (Madden) and I are very pleased with the work ethic of our swimmers and their performance at these first two meets of the season.”

 

Bridgeport recorded several other first-place finishes, including Phillip Malenich, Luke Pinti, Marcel Rodriquez and Ryan Knapp in the 200-yard medley relay; Cheyanne Rohde in the 50-yard freestyle; Rodriquez in the 100-yard freestyle; Rohde in the 100-yard backstroke; Pinti in the 100-yard breaststroke; Darian Spencer, Lilly Madden, Maria Lacaria and Rohde in the 200-yard freestyle relay; Malenich, Pinti, Reed Smith and Keener in the 200-yard freestyle relay; Mason Titchenal in the 100-yard butterfly; and Malenich, Titchenal, Rodriquez and Keener in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

 

“Our relays were great. We were so pleased,” Grisso said. “Cheyanne has been dealing with injury, but is working through it and doing very well.”

In addition to Rohde, Spencer, Lacaria, Marra Johnson and Cheri Signorelli, Lilly Madden has really stepped up this year, showing her value as a swimmer, Grisso said.

 

“She is doing really well so far this year and been a big contributor to the team,” she said.

 

Bridgeport’s boys continue to be dedicated and are working hard to defend their Class AA title. The girls, last season's Class AA runner-up team - is also going strong; both veteran and up-and-coming swimmers accumulating points.

 

Grisso said she was glad to have Amber Jones, Violet Sickles, Jenna Wood and Grace Backus back from volleyball season and that they played their roles in Saturday’s win.

 

“They had only had one week of practice and they did a very nice job,” she said. “They scored and we were real pleased with that.”

Other teams competing in the Splash Invitational were Morgantown, Buckhannon-Upshur, Fairmont Senior, Elkins, Woodrow Wilson, Notre Dame, Philip Barbour, East Fairmont and Grafton.

 

The Tribe will be in action again Dec. 9 at the brand new WVU Natatorium, competing in an 18-team field.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are by Joey Signorelli of Ben Queen Photography, taken during the 2018-19 swim season.