Cuyahoga Falls Sending Three To State Meet

sophomore Andrew Appleby earned a spot in the Division I state swim meet with a fifth-place finish in the 100-yard free at the Cleveland State district meet.

Appleby swam a time of 47.70 to get the fifth and final automatic qualifying position in the state meet out of CSU. Teammate Ryan Hillyer also swam, posting a time of 50.10 - finishing in 21st place. Appleby's competitive finish was overshadowed by the dominant performance by Strongsville's Michael Meldon, who set a district-record with a time of 44.70. 

Appleby concluded his day at the district with a 1:45.07 in the 200 free, good enough for eighth place.

Also enjoying the waters at the Robert Busbey Natatorium for Cuyahoga Falls was junior Morgan Lydic, who placed in a tie for eighth in the 50 free with a 24.44 and added a 13th in the 100 free with a 54.24. She received the final at-large spot in the 50 free at Canton, but missed out in reaching the state meet in the 100.

Reaching the district meet for the Cuyahoga Falls boys were Hillyer, junior Jason McDonough (36th in the 500 free), and Gregory Rechner (27th in 100 breast).

The boys' 400 free relay of Hillyer, Luke Bruce, McDonough, and Appleby finished with a time of 3:30.23, good enough for 19th place.

In diving, the Black Tigers' Haleigh Bartlett earned her ticket to Canton after she finished second overall with 471.20 points. Only Avon Lake's Morgan Srail had a higher score (478.95). 

The Cuyahoga Falls girls had Sarah Jackson in both the 100 back and 100 fly, where she finished 42nd and 45th, respectively. Teammate Jenna Kassinger finished the 100 breast in a time of 1:15.27, placing 39th overall.