By Cort Reynolds

CANTON – Ada senior Lily Baumgartner qualified to the state finals in two individual events with strong preliminary heat showings in the Ohio Div. II swimming meet at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium Thursday evening, February 20.

Baumgartner took third amid a 32-girl field in the 100-yard backstroke preliminary heats Thursday evening. She swam a 56.10 to advance to the A Finals Friday. 

Shaker Heights sophomore Josephine Piliang touched first in the 100 back prelims in 54.92.

Baumgartner took fifth out of 32 in the 100 butterfly prelims Thursday evening. She recorded a time of 56.75 to make it to the A Finals Friday.

Senior Carrie Furbee of Grandview Heights won the 100 fly preliminary with a time of 53.58.

The Div. II state meet finals are Friday from 5-9 p.m. A top-eight finish in the prelims equals a spot in the A Finals. Preliminary round 9-16 finishers qualify for the B Finals.

Baumgartner took fourth in the 100 back A Finals last year in 55.9. She also touched seventh in the 100 freestyle last year in the A Finals with a time of 52.43.