The Cougars beat runner-up Wapakoneta by more than 1.16 seconds — making their victory even more impressive, said Kenton Ridge coach Heather Shaffer.
“Before they went, I told them they needed to give me something special and that’s what they did,” she said. “In swimming, every hundredth (of a second) counts. To win by more than a second was just incredible. I mean winning itself is amazing, but the way that we won, I still can’t even process it honestly.”
Blazer swam the first leg in 21.66 seconds, followed by Day (22.01), Fyffe (21.94) and anchor Thomas (21.82).
“I was so happy,” Blazer said. “When he touched the wall and I saw No. 1 (on the scoreboard), it was such a good feeling. I know all of those guys have worked really hard. It’s a great accomplishment as a team.”
Before the race, Day and his teammates looked at each other knowing they were “going to win no matter what,” he said.
“It still really hasn’t set in and I don’t know if it ever really will, but I hope it does,” Day said. “It was incredible.”
The foursome has swam together since they were children, Day said.
“To grow up with these guys and still swim a relay together, it’s awesome,” he said.
Fyffe swam his leg still angry after barely missing the podium in the 100 fly, finishing ninth in 52.33. He was .07 seconds behind Hansel Holmes of Dresden Tri-Valley.
“I was filled with anger,” he said. “I wanted to take everything out on (that race) for my team. As soon as I went in, I did everything I could to help my team win.”
After Fyffe touched the wall, Thomas knew he had to get as big of a lead as possible.
“Coming off my turn, I was rolling over under water and I could see where everybody was,” Thomas said. “I knew at that point that we were probably going to win. I just pushed a little bit harder and finished as fast as I could. I looked up and we had won. It was awesome.”
The Cougars went crazy on the pool deck, Thomas said.
“We were giving each other high fives, yelling and screaming,” he said. “It was a great time.”
The Cougars relay team entered with a state-best time of 1:27.80.
“It was a lot of pressure especially coming from such a small school compared to all of the big private schools that dominate at state,” Thomas said.
Blazer finished fifth in the 100 Free in 46.88 and seventh in the 200 Free (1:42.18). Thomas finished 13th in the 100 Breast (1:00.22) and 24th in the 50 Free (22.61), while Day finished 17th in the 200 Individual Medley in 2:01.27 and 19th in the 100 Breast (1:00.74). The 400 free relay team of Blazer, Fyffe, Thomas and Matthew Mayhan finished 13th in 3:19.11.
The Cougars, who finished 10th overall with 86 points, will return all four members of its relay team next season. They’re hoping to make it two in a row.
“It’s already come through my mind,” Thomas said. “Hopefully we can come back and defend it.”
The Division I meet is today and Saturday in Canton.
About the Author