Bridgeport High School Swim Team ran away with the Harrison County Championships held Saturday at Salem University. The Tribe topped the competition overall and in girls’ and boys’ divisions. Additionally, the Indians broke five county records and several made high point.

 

“They are doing a remarkable job,” said Jan Grisso, head coach for BHS. “The county championships do bring out the championship season and this is where we really see the team starting to feel like a team – cheering each other on.”

 

There was plenty of cheering going on Saturday as BHS freshman Olivia Urse (pictured) broke county records in the 200-individual medley and 500-freestyle events. Urse, along with Marra Johnson, Cheyanne Rohde and Sarah Stallman, broke the 200-yard medley relay record, finishing in 1:59.15. Urse, Darian Spencer, Maria Lacaria and Rohde broke the record for the 400-yard freestyle relay, finishing in 3:57.16.

 

Freshman Randy Keener broke the 200-yard individual medley record; a record that has sustained 17 years.

 

The Tribe’s girls scored 163 points with the Irish of Notre Dame placing second with 43 points. Robert C. Byrd, Liberty and Lincoln rounded out the field of competitors.

 

Urse, Johnson and Rohde – both also freshmen - made high point, each scoring 14 points. The Tribe’s senior swimmer Sarah Stallman followed closely with 12 points. Others from the Tribe in the top 10 were Spencer, Hope Rieser and Kirstin George.

 

Bridgeport’s boys topped the competition with 158 points, followed by Robert C. Byrd in second place with 68 points. Notre Dame, Liberty and Lincoln followed.

 

Keener and senior John Carter both scored 14 points, tying high point with RCB’s Gabriel Howe. Bridgeport’s Luke Pinti landed in fourth place with 12 points. Marcel Rodriquez was in sixth place with 10.

 

See the entire individual point list HERE.

 

The Tribe competes next at the Big 10 championships set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Fairmont State University.

 

“There will be 11 teams competing and it will be a real competitive meet,” Grisso said. “Hopefully (our swimmers) will get even better times. That’s our last look to see what we’re going to do for states.”

 

As regionals - set for Feb. 2 at West Virginia Wesleyan College - is the qualifying meet for states, Grisso and Assistant Coaches Jack Merinar and Wendy Madden will have to determine who will be swimming in specific events.

 

The state swim meet is Feb. 15-16 at the West Virginia University Natatorium.

 

“We should have several competing,” Grisso said. “We have some remarkable depth and some wonderful top swimmers, but the competition is pretty tough this year. Just making the right decisions on individual and relay events is going to be a big thing. It’s going to be tough and they need to be on their game. We need to make the right decisions and make a run for it.”

 

Though many of this year’s top swimmers are freshmen, they are not rookies.

 

“A lot of those swimmers have been on a club team for years,” Grisso said. “They practice many hours each week.”

 

Yet, in some respects, this is a new and exciting time for them.

 

“They’ve always been excellent swimmers, but now they are getting recognized for all the hard work they are putting in,” Grisso said. “And swimming for their high school team is a whole new avenue for them and I think they like it. Usually, swimming is more of an individual sport, but when swimming for your school, it’s a whole new experience.”

 

Grisso also commends her swimmers who aren’t year-round competitors.

 

“They have really stepped up and done a great job. Their times are getting better, overall, and I think our whole team has shown lots of progress,” she said.

 

The same holds true for her assistant coaches, Merinar and Madden, who are integral components to this year’s success, Grisso said.

 

See full Harrison County Championship meet results HERE.

 

Photos are by Ben Queen Photography. See more images from the county championships HERE.