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Katayama swims way back to state meet

Zach Beaschler and Isaac Spar also competed at district

By Cort Reynolds
BOWLING GREEN - Three Ada girls and boys swimmers competed in the Division II swim districts at Bowling Green State University Friday evening, with one earning a return visit to the state meet at Canton.

Ada sophomore Klava Katayama took fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and finished sixth in the 100 butterfly race to qualify for the state meet at Canton in both events.

Katayama will compete Feb. 22-23 at the 42nd annual girls' Ohio state meet. The boys' state meet is being held for the 91st time.

Girls' Division II swim preliminaries start at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Canton's C.T. Branin Natatorium. The top 16 in an event make it to the Division II race finals starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.

The top two finishers in any race from the various district meets automatically made it to Canton. The next fastest times filled out the at-large qualifiers to state in each event.

Last year Katayama made it to the state meet at Canton in the 50 free, where she finished 17th as a freshman.

Bulldog senior Zach Beaschler competed at Bowling Green in two events, but narrowly missed state qualification. Beaschler took sixth in the 100 freestyle and finished ninth in the 50 freestyle race.

"I am incredibly proud of my team and that I had the chance to coach them these past two years," said Ada head coach Tanner Holke. "The district meet was a perfect way to end the season for most of the team.

"Zach swam lifetime bests in his races, and Klava swam her season-bests. I am very excited to see how she swims at state," he added.

Ada sophomore Isaac Spar finished 26th at the district meet in the 100 butterfly after being seeded 23rd by his sectional time.

Ada girls' BGSU Division II district finishes:
50 yard freestyle: K. Katayama, 5th of 32  24.42
100 yard butterfly: Klava Katayama, 6th of 32  58.52

Ada boys' BGSU Division II district finishes:
100 yard free: Zach Beaschler, 6th of 32  49.55    
50 yard free: Zach Beaschler, 9th of 31  22.58    
100 yard fly: Isaac Spar, 26th of 32  60.91    

 

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