Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NAPPANEE - The NorthWood boys swim team has not won the season opener in several years. In fact, they have averaged about one win per season for the past few years as well.
But NorthWood stopped the streak of lost opener and got off on the right foot Tuesday night when the Panthers defeated Tippecanoe Valley 104.5-80.5.
"It's been a long time since we won our first meet," said NorthWood coach Mary Robertson. "The guys are very excited. This is a confidence booster for them."
NorthWood jumped out to an early 20-10 lead after taking first and second place in the 200 medley relay and second and third place in the 200 freestyle relay.
Then went on to take first place in six of the last nine events to earn the 104.5-80-5 victory.
Andrew Whitehead led the Panthers by placing first in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke as well as competing on the first-place 400 freestyle relay team.
"Andrew Whitehead swam well tonight," said Robertson. "He returned after taking a year off. He didn't swin last year and did very well for being gone for that amount of time."
Nick Abel, also a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay, placed first in several individual events as well. He won the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle for NorthWood.
Although the Vikings did not come out on top, coach Tina Feldman was positive about her team's performance.
"We swam pretty well tonight," said Feldman. "Considering we are coming off some recent injuries, we did a pretty good job. We had a lot of personal bests."
Valley earned five first-place finishes in the meet, with two coming from Brett Kollin. Kollin won the 200 fresstyle and the 500 freestyle and competed on the first place 200 freestyle relay team as well as the second-place 400 freestyle relay team.
"Brett Kollin is returning from last year and looks strong again this year," said Feldman.
Valley swimmer Derek Eby, who was injured at the end of football season, also swam well for the Vikings. Eby placed second in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle and swam on the first-place 200 freestyle relay team as well as the second-place 400 freestyle relay.
"Eby is coming off an injury, and he did a pretty good job tonight," said Feldman. "I see a lot of potential in the 50 free."
Tippecanoe Valley, now 0-1, will travel to Manchester for a meet Thursday, while 1-0 NorthWood travels to Warsaw for a boys and girls meet Thursday as well.
NORTHWOOD 104.5, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 80.5
200 Medley Relay -Ê1. NorthWood (Aaron Hoover, Zebulon Holsopple, Andrew Whitehead, Nick Abel), 1:54.68; 2. NorthWood (Nick Larsen, Austin Perkins, Donnie Aleo, C.J. Cunningham); 3. Valley (Chris Mitterling, Tyson Runkle, Evan Boggs, Marc Nellans).
200 Freestyle - 1. Brett Kollin (V), 1:58.11; 2. Aaron Hoover (N); 3. Donnie Aleo (N).
200 Individual Medley - 1. Andrew Whitehead (N), 2:15.16; 2. Zebulon Holsopple (N); 3. Evan Boggs (V).
50 Freestyle -Ê1. Nick Abel (N), 24.59; 2. (tie) Derek Eby (V) and C.J. Cunningham (N).
Diving -Ê1. Ron Thompson (V) 168.15; 2. Eric Reynolds (N); 3. David Tilden (V).
100 Butterfly - 1. Evan Boggs (V), 1:11.45; 2. Donnie Aleo (N); 3. Josh Stahl (N).
100 Freestyle -Ê1. Nick Abel (N) 56.86; 2. Derek Eby (V); 3. C.J. Cunningham (N).
500 Freestyle - 1. Brett Kollin (V), 5:28.08; 2. Aaron Hoover (N); 3. Mark Davidhizar (N).
200 Freestyle Relay - 1. (Valley (Evan Boggs, Brett Kollin, David Tilden, Derek Eby), 1:44.17; 2. NorthWood (Nick Larsen, Austin Perkins, Donnie Allen, C.J. Cunningham); 3. NorthWood (Josh Stahl, Mark Davidhizar, Randy Lehman, Eric Reynolds).
100 Backstroke -Ê1. Andrew Whitehead (N), 59.05; 2. Chris Mitterling (V); 3. Mark Davidhizar (N).
100 Breaststroke -Ê1. Zebulon Holsopple (N) 1:16.46; 2. Tyson Runkle (V); 3. Lucas Cox (V).
400 Freestyle Relay -Ê1. NorthWood (Aaron Hoover, Zebulon Holsopple, Andrew Whitehead, Nick Abel), 4:01.35; 2. Valley (Brett Kollin, Chris Mitterling, Tyson Runkle, Derek Eby); 3. Valley (Lucas Cox, Ian Fawley, Ron Thompson, Marc Nellans).
