Burroughs Heads the Pack of Local Teams at the State Swim Meet This Weekend

Local swimming has its ebbs and flow. Last year with Morgan Mullenix and Bentley Boldt representing Villa Duchesne and with Annie Goessling piling up the points for MICDS, both teams had top 10 finishes.

That possibly won't be the case this year. All of the local teams are rebuilding. Some have just one qualifier.

One team showing marked improvement is John Burroughs, much in part to sensational freshman Maddie Wessell. The Bombers just might crash the leader board for team scores this time.

Here’s how the locals are shaping up for the semifinals Friday and the championship of the annual state tournament at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters Saturday.

John Burroughs

For the first time in eons, the Bombers will be a possible top-10 contender. And that's all because of two unbelievably talented freshmen: Maddie Wessell and Barrett Carlson.

How Wessell stands up to the pressure of her first state meet is the question. She has some of the fastest times in the state.

Wessell is first in the Metro in the following events:

• 50 free, 24.52
• 100 back, 59.28
• 100 free, 52.85

Also, Wessell is fifth in the 100 breast stroke, 100 butterfly and the 500 free. She can enter three events and two relays. That all falls to coach Leslie Kehr to determine which events she will swim.

Burroughs will also take to state the following: Megan Camendzind, Amanda Cao, Lilly Katzman, Morgan Rinder, Jessica Ryan and Amanda Zeigler.

MICDS

The Rams are back for another bite of the apple.

Their most versatile performer is senior Trey Ross.

"We are really looking forward to seeing what our girls can do rested, shaved, and in suits.  Since they haven't been rested until now, we hope to see big drops. Ross will lead the way, and has much experience at the state meet.  I am looking for our younger kids to follow her lead," said Rams coach Kristen Kaiser.

Going to state from MICDS are:

Alex Dunn, diver Kat Friese, Geneva Lee, Megan Malloy, Masha Podokshik, Lily Reisinger, Gigi Rill, Nicole Shearing and diver Courtney Trowbridge. Friese, a sophomore has the fifth best diving score this year in the Metro.

St. Joseph’s Academy

The Angels have qualified all three relays for the state swim meet. Last year, the Angels surprised the field by winning the 200 freestyle relay.

Grace Stiegemeyer, the Angels top performer was on that relay team. She has qualified to swim in three state events. Here’s who’s going to state for St. Joe this time around: 

•  50 Freestyle: Charlotte Cordova: 25.13;
•  100 Breaststroke: Madeline Gilstrap: 1:12.13 
•  100 Backstroke:Ashley Reichert: 1:02.98 
•  500 Freestyle:  Grace Stiegemeyer: 5:14.17 and Grayson Ram: 5:25.57 
•  200 Freestyle: Stiegemeyer: 1:57.78 
•  100 Freestyle: Cordova: 55.48

They have also qualified diver Kaleigh Meek and their three relays teams: 200 medley in 1:55.79; 200 Freestyle Relay: 1:44.07 and the 400 Freestyle Relay: 3:48.48. 

Ladue-Horton Watkins

Christine Yan, sophomore is the only qualifier for the Rams this year. She is swimming the 100 breastroke and the 100 individual medley this year. She was a previous Patch “Athlete of the Week.”

“She has been a leader on our team all season, practicing regularly 6 days a week, in the morning and after school.  She set the school record in the 100 breaststroke,” said first-year coach Ted Waterson.

Villa Duchesne

Sarah Sutherlin, senior is the only Saints qualifier in 2013. 

This year Villa Duchesne was in regrowing process.  Her coach Corrine Murphy predicts she will go all out in style.

“This is the last race of her swimming career, so this is it. She will swim like anyone would swim their last race, all out,” said Murphy.