Swimmers win another home invitational

WILLIAMSBURG — Another home invitational, another championship for the Williamsburg girls’ swimming team.

The Raiders have been very successful in their own pool the last two years, sweeping both of their home invitationals, including Monday’s (Oct. 9) meet, Seniors Night during which Natalie Buck, Laura Carrico, Caitlyn Cronbaugh, Kayden Dermody, Grace Gauley-Schultz, Sydney Grandquist, Grace Huch, Olivia Kelting, Macey Kent and Elizabeth Stohlmann were recognized.

“What a magical night,” said Williamsburg Coach Mindy Wuebker, whose team has won six of 10 meets this season while compiling a 25-7 record.

“There is something special about a home meet and senior night,” Wuebker said. “Not only did we succeed in bringing home the win, we showed big improvements in technique, had 22 PRs (not including several improved relay splits) and, most importantly, had fun.

“It was a great meet in all aspects.”

The Raiders scored in every event and totaled 484 points, nearly double that of closest challenger, Oskaloosa, who finished second with 249.

Vinton-Shellsburg (174) and Tipton (161) rounded out the field.

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A second-place finish by the 200-yard medley relay team of Stohlmann, Kelting, Selah Smith and Gwen Yearian jump-started Williamsburg.

Kya Dobesh and Kayden Dermody followed with second- and fourth-place swims in the 200-yard freestyle, and Smith, Cronbaugh and Yearian went 2-3-5 in the 200-yard individual medley.

Laura Carrico then won the 50-yard freestyle, a race in which teammates Emily McGovern and Macey Kent finished third and fourth.

Yearian and Carrico captured back-to-back victories in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle, and Dobesh took runner-up honors in the 500 freestyle.

The Raiders placed three of their 200-yard medley relay teams, led by the championship group of Smith, Kelting, Cronbaugh and Carrico.

Cronbaugh followed with another win in the 100-yard backstroke, Stohlmann, Kelting and Mia Becker went 3-4-5 in the 100 breast stroke, and the Raiders finished strong in the 400 freestyle relay with first, third and sixth places.

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Smith, Dobesh, Cronbaugh and Carrico formed the winning 400 foursome. It was the fourth time Cronbaugh and Carrico would step on the winner’s stand.

Triple dual champs

Williamsburg beat Vinton-Shellsburg 178-79, Oskaloosa 151-126 and Keokuk 196-44 in a triple dual Friday, Oct 5, at Oskaloosa.

Dobesh won the 200-yard freestyle, Smith and Cronbaugh went 1-2 in the 200 IM, Carrico and Kelting were first and third in the 50 freestyle, Yearian won the 100 butterfly, Carrico and Dobesh finished 1-2 in the 100 freestyle, and the Raiders claimed victories in the 200 and 400 yard freestyle relays.

Smith, Cronbaugh and Carrico swam on both teams, with Kelting joining them in the 200 race and Dobesh 400.

“Tonight's focus was not on getting PRs but rather technique oriented, and I believe several of the girls were successful in this area,” Wuebker said.

“At the beginning of the season we sat down as a team and worked together to set the pillars — core values — our team would follow and strive for this year. Be kind, be supportive, love one another and be a leader.”

“We have also talked several times,” Wuebker said, “about taking ownership — ownership of the team, individually, and of each other.

“I am really enjoying watching each of the girls grow and succeed in these areas,” Wuebker said. “Winning is fun, PRs are great, but these characteristics are going to stick with them the rest of their lives. These things are what matter.”