High School Swimming: Springfield’s Turner sisters motivate each other

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The Reese sisters help lead the Springfield area contingent into the Southwest District swimming and diving championships at Miami University this weekend. The Division II meet is Friday with the boys swimming at 10:45 a.m. and the girls at 5:45 p.m. The D-I meet is Saturday with the same time schedule.

The top two finishers in each event automatically qualify for next week’s state meet in Canton. The next 16 state qualifiers are determined from the top times at all the district meets.

Reese, a sophomore, holds the Wildcats’ highest seeding at 10th in the 50-yard freestyle. She’s also No. 15 in the 100 free. Rylie, a junior, is No. 32 in the 200 free.

“Reese, her time has a lot of potential in the 50 free. We’re looking forward to watching that,” Scholl said, adding Reese broker her ankle last season and spent much of it healing. “This year she’s gotten to put her stamp on the program. We’re excited to watch Reese Turner hopefully qualify in the 50 free.”

Springfield’s 200 free relay (No. 15) and 200 medley relay (No. 20) teams also qualified for the girls meet, as did the boys’ 200 free (No. 19) and 200 medley (no. 20) teams.

Sophomore Christian Narcelles advanced in two individual events. He’s seeded No. 14 in the 200 individual medley and No. 17 in the 100 butterfly. Narcelles qualified for the D-I district meet last year but did not participate because of a death in the family.

“He is so disciplined. He is an academic and an athlete at heart,” Scholl said. “He spends all of his time working hard. It’s good to see him get that chance this year.

“His best times put him close to qualifying to state. We’re really looking forward to Christian swimming and hopefully qualifying.”

Wildcats’ seniors Emily Stahl, Natalie Narcelles and Jake Kearns are members of the relay teams and look to finish out their careers strong in the state’s toughest district meet.

“With the tough competition in Division I it can be hard for us. But that is motivation,” Scholl said. “That’s motivation to swim faster to get there.”

Among the top contenders in the D-II girls meet:

• Kenton Ridge sophomore Sydney Jones is No. 5 in the 50 free and No. 11 in the 100 fly. Sophomore Gwyn Thomas is No. 6 in the 100 breast.

• Shawnee senior Olivia Leslie is No. 5 in the 100 back and No. 9 in the 50 freestyle. Freshman Alana Derringer is No. 11 in the 100 breast.

• Catholic Central junior Bridget Engel is No. 2 in the 100 breast and sister Addie is No. 3. Junior Natalie Tropp is No. 8 in the 200 IM and No. 9 in the 100 breast.

• On the D-II boys side, Greenon junior Calvin Wise is No. 3 in the 200 IM and Kenton Ridge freshman Dylan Day is No. 8 in both the 100 breast and 100 fly.