It’s been two days of highs and lows; some disappointments and some moments of pure elation. But the highlight of Bridgeport High School’s state swim meet experience was when the Tribe’s Marcel Rodriquez, Kyle Malcolm, Phillip Malenich and John Carter proved they were the fastest boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay in the state. At Thursday’s preliminaries, the team finished second to Parkersburg, but only by a fraction of a second. The Big Red finished in 1:35.42 over the Indians’ 1:35.93.

 

Going into finals, BHS was determined to pick up the state victory. Though all swimmers held their own in the race, it was Carter who made up lost time and secured the victory.

 

In the same event for the girls, BHS finished fourth, but the team of Sarah Stallman, Catie Wilson, Darian Spencer and Maria Lacaria broke a school record – twice - in the process.

 

At Thursday’s preliminaries, the relay team finished in 1:45.19, breaking the 2008 BHS record of 1:45.22. At Friday’s finals, the girls finished in 1:44.92, setting the record again. Taking first place was Fairmont Senior, followed by Parkersburg and Morgantown in second and third places.

 

Also placing in finals was the 200-yard medley relay team of Malenich, Carter, Malcolm and Luke Pinti. After finishing preliminaries in third place, the team wound up fifth in Friday’s finals.

 

Pinti and Carter also competed in the 100-yard breaststroke event; Pinti finishing third and Carter, fifth.

 

A freshman, Pinti said he was very happy with his finish.

 

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I’ve worked really hard throughout the year and it’s starting to pay off.”

 

He said he’s used to swimming in big meets and under pressure, but nothing compares to swimming in the state meet.

 

“In prelims, kids just kept dropping time and it was making me very nervous,” he said.

 

He knew he had to do the same. He finished Thursday’s preliminary race in 1:05.33, his personal best time. Friday, he set another personal best by completing the race in 1:04.36.

 

“It was my last event of the year for BHS and I wanted to finish strong,” Pinti said.

 

Malcolm picked up 11^th place in the 50-yard freestyle event, Malenich finished eighth place in 100-yard backstroke and Viktor Rodriquez placed eighth in the 100-butterfly event. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Marcel Rodriquez, Reed Smith, Malcolm and Malenich finished seventh.

 

In individual girls’ events, Stallman picked up seventh place in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle event. Spencer finished the 100-yard breaststroke in seventh place and the 100-butterfly in ninth. Soltesz finished the 100-yard butterfly in 11^th place. Wilson got ninth place in 50-yard freestyle and ninth place in the 100-yard freestyle. Lacaria picked up 11^th place in the 100-yard freestyle. Hope Rieser finished the 100-yard backstroke event in ninth place.

 

The 200-yard medley relay team of Spencer, Kaitlyn Pinti, Stallman and Wilson finished fifth and the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Cheri Signorelli, Jaryn Dodrill, Soltesz and Lacaria finished 10^th.

 

Overall, the Lady Indians claimed sixth place in a field of 22 teams and the boys claimed fourth place.

 

The WVSSAC state swim meet was held at the West Virginia University Natatorium.

 

Claiming the top five spots for the girls were Parkersburg, Fairmont Senior, Wheeling Park, George Washington and Morgantown.

 

The Indian swim team is coached by Jan Grisso and Jack Merinar. 

 

Girls' state swim meet results are posted HERE at the SwimWV Web site. Boys will be posted soon.