Torpedoes in speedos

MARTIN LUTHER KING SWIM CENTER-

The boys' swimming and diving team took first place among six teams with a score of 403 in the Division II championship and senior co-captain Byron Drumheller won four events.

The Blair boys and girls as a whole placed second with a combined score of 665, finishing behind Wootton High School, who led the division with 773 points. The Blair girls' team finished last at the meet, with a score of 262.

After a strong 5-1 season, the boys are sending a number of their swimmers to the County and Metropolitan Championships with high expectations. Individually, Drumheller placed first in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle events and was part of the 200-yard freestyle and medley relay teams that clenched first.

Drumheller attributes much of the winning season to the camaraderie among the team, which he notes is especially important in the stacked relay events. "I definitely think that the guys have all gotten to know each other better. Performance in guys' swimming is based on how much adrenaline you have. Especially in relays, you want a group of guys who are all friends and all want to swim fast," Drumheller said.

Drumheller has high expectations for himself and his teammates at the county meet, and coach David Swaney shares his positive sentiment. "Byron really has a shot at winning more than one event at Counties and even at Metros," Swaney said.

Swaney also has big expectations for juniors Ian Mackinnon and Andrew Lee. Mackinnon now holds five Blair records, most recently clenching the best times in the 100-yard butterfly and the 500-yard freestyle events. Lee placed first in the 100-yard breast stroke event at Divisionals.

The girls, while holding a less successful 2-4 season record, are also sending strong competitors to represent Blair in the County and Metropolitan meets. Senior Alison Horner who holds the most girls' records for Blair, hopes to culminate her four-year career with a strong showing at Counties.

Swaney noted that the girls' team will be more affected by the loss of their seniors next year than the boys' team. Horner and senior Kelly Jacobs, who have consistently posted fast times throughout their high school careers, will be particularly missed.

The graduation of senior Rebecca Durivage-Jacobs will leave a whole in the diving team. She placed fifth at the Divisional meet.