By Cort Reynolds

VAN WERT – Short-handed Ada High School swim teams competed in a three-team meet at Van Wert on Thursday, December 12.

The Ada boys defeated Elida 42-10 but lost to Van Wert, 51-25. They have a 4-1 dual meet record this season.

VW topped the Bulldog girls 36-15, and Elida beat the Ada girls 89-17. They are 1-4 in dual meets.

In the combined boys and girls scores, Ada lost to Elida 99-59 and to VW 87-40.

Elida also beat the host Cougars 93-87 in the combined meet scores.

The Ada girls did not have enough swimmers for a relay team due to injuries and other reasons. Senior ace Lily Baumgartner is competing this weekend at a national meet in North Carolina.

“Even though it was a meter pool, with the conversion into yards, we still had a few time drops and personal-bests,” said Ada head coach Ashley Robey. 

“We had some issues with goggles sliding off, but everyone persevered and that's all I could ask for,” she added.

Ada sophomore Tim Chrissobolis captured first in the boys 200 freestyle (2:25.8). He also won the 100 breaststroke (1:22.85).

Sophomore Jacob Szippl came in second in the 50 free (29.25) and finished third in the 100 backstroke (1:18.05). 

Bulldog freshman Grady Morgan took second in the boys 50 free (31.98). Junior Kaden Clum ended up third in the 100 free (1:15.14).

The Ada boys 200 relay of Szippl, Sam Crawford, Kaden Clum and Chrissobolis won in 2:07.01.

Junior Jordyn Smith touched first in the girls 50 freestyle (35.5).

Junior Lydia Demascio finished second in both the 100 backstroke (1:21.07) and the 50 butterfly (32.88).

Freshman Alivia Montgomery took second in the girls 100 freestyle (1:15.6).

Ada swims in the 21-team Napoleon Invitational Saturday.

“This will be the first big meet for a couple of the swimmers,” said Robey. “So it will be good to see how they react to that and how they swim under more intense competition.”