Western-Star.com

CANTON — The Springfield YMCA swim team made the state meet its own this weekend.

In addition to Catholic Central senior Patrick McHugh's state championship in the 100 backstroke on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Branin Natatorium, the SPY team got two state titles from Fairbanks senior Margo Geer and two top-three finishes from Kenton Ridge senior Lauren Funk.

"It says a lot," Funk said. "Once people find out we all swim SPY, it's going to get our name out there. People are going to want to come join."

"We've got some freshmen coming up, some young swimmers," Catholic Central coach Steve Neely said. "I think it's going to continue for a number of years."

Geer won the 50-yard freestyle in Division II in 22.58 seconds and the 200 free in 49.39. She finished her high school career with six state titles.

Funk finished second to Geer in the 50 in 23.86 and third in the 200 (52.60). Katie Joseph of McDonald beat her by .13 seconds in the 200.

"I would have liked to have gotten second in both," Funk said, "but third's OK."

The future Ohio University swimmer Funk made it to state three times in her career.

"I got really emotional after my 50," she said. "After my 100, it wasn't too bad until I was walking out of the building. It was pretty sad, but it's OK."

Here are the complete area results from Saturday:

• Drew Keriazes of Springfield finished 14th in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.04) in Division I.

• The Catholic Central boys 200 medley relay team of Patrick McHugh, Pat Greitzer, Stewart Collins and Eric Samuelson placed ninth (1:40.96).

• Greitzer finished ninth in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.26).

• The Central girls 200 medley relay team of Maureen Day, Liz Samuelson, Stella Petroff and Allison Lohnes placed 14th (1:58.81).

• Lohnes took 11th in the 100 backstroke (1:01.13).

• Erica Chick of Yellow Springs finished fourth in the 200 free (1:55.39) and seventh in the 500 free (5:11.44).

• Elizabeth Malone of Yellow Springs placed fifth in the 100 butterfly (59.35) and 11th in the 200 individual medley (2:13.79).

This was the first year the boys meet was split into two divisions. The Hunting Valley University School boys and the Gates Mills Hawken girls won the D-II team titles.

Upper Arlington rolled to its fifth straight D-I girls title, while Cincinnati St. Xavier was back in its familiar surroundings atop the boys standings.