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Torpedoes win Polar Bear Invitational at Countryside

Steven Bopst (7) of Lebanon swims the back stroke during Countryside YMCA's Polar Bear Invitational.

Zoe Wagner (11) of Lebanon pushes off the blocks during her backstroke event at the Countryside YMCA's Polar Bear Invitational Saturday, June 26, in Lebanon. Contributed photos by Martin Wheeler

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By Scott Hayes, Staff Writer 10:35 AM Thursday, July 1, 2010

LEBANON — Countryside YMCA hosted the biggest longcourse swim meet of the summer last weekend. As usual, the host team Torpedoes sank the competition.

The Countryside Torpedoes finished atop the standings at their annual Polar Bear Invitational on June 26-27. The Torpedoes scored a combined team total of 912 points, easily beating second place South YMCA which tallied 342 points.

The Countryside squad captured first place in 29 of the 70 events. Seventeen teams and 533 swimmers competed in the annual event, with 168 of those swimmers wearing Torpedoes swim caps.

“It’s always good to win a meet, any meet, but particularly at home,” Countryside swim coach Brad Isham said. “We kind of expected to win, but it’s always good to go out and perform up to expectations.

“We’re not at our peak, yet. We’re building towards nationals in late July. But, this was a good measurement to see where we are at and what we need to tweak to get ready for nationals.”

The Countryside girls were led by Emily Slable who won four events — the senior 200 backstroke, the 13-14 year old 50 meter butterfly, the 13-14 year old 50 meter backstroke and the senior 200 meter butterfly.

Other multiple winners on the girls’ side were Breanne McDowell (15 and over 50 meter freestyle and senior 200 meter breaststroke), Allison Bloebaum (9-10 year old 50 meter butterfly and 9-10 year old 200 meter individual medley) and Sara Liang (11-12 year old 200 IM and 11-2 year old 50 meter breast stroke).

“It was really fun because I did well in my age group and I also got to swim up against the older kids to see how I compare against them,” Liang said. “When you swim against the older kids, it doesn’t feel that bad if you lose.”

Countryside’s boys were led by Steven Zimmerman, who won three events — the 15 and up 50 meter freestyle, the senior 200 meter backstroke and the 15 and over 50 meter backstroke.

“I felt good out there, a little faster than last year,” Zimmerman said. “My times were pretty close to my goals this summer, which are to win those three events at the nationals.”

Other multiple winners for the Torpedoes’ boys were Jake Stylski (9-10 year old 50 meter freestyle, 9-10 year old 50 meter butterfly) and Jacob Peloquin (11-12 year old 50 butterfly, 11-12 year old 200 IM and 11-12 year old 50 meter breast stroke).

Other event winners for Countryside included Sarah Slabe, Lauren Patterson, Zach Franz, Aaron Lawson, Justin Davidson, Tory Worobetz, Cameron Kircher, Lynn Brotherton, Christian Josephson, Tim Early and McKenzie Grau.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.

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