CANTON — The anchor.
Swimmer Evann Heidersbach wouldn’t be happier filling the role of any other job description. The Elyria Catholic junior relishes pressure.
Heidersbach rallied the Panthers from eighth to fifth in the 200 free relay at Saturday’s Division II state meet with a time of 1:41.70.
She split 24.19. Only two swimmers split faster times.
Senior Brittany Tweardy, along with freshmen Brooke Bartlebaugh and Caroline Hamp, teamed with Heidersbach for the relay at Canton-McKinley’s C.T. Branin Natatorium.
“I was really pumped. I’m a come-from-behind swimmer,” said Heidersbach, an eight-time All-Ohio swimmer. “I live for that. I always get my best times when I have to catch up to somebody.”
It was the third straight year EC finished in the top five of the event.
Hawken won the race for the third year in a row with a time of 1:37.89. Lima Shawnee was second (1:40.92).
“I kind of had a poor showing in the morning prelims (25.50 compared to 25.17 in the finals),” Tweardy said. “We definitely came back for this one. I felt great in my lead-off leg. It’s definitely the adrenaline that keeps you going. Racing against Hawken is just so fun.”
EC senior Keith Everhart followed Heidersbach’s lead in the Division I boys 200 free relay. Everhart split a personal-record 21.02 in the anchor as he rallied the Panthers from last to second in the consolation finals, helping Elyria Catholic finish 10th overall (1:28:50). The EC boys were seeded 15th.
“It was all about beating St. Edward,” Everhart said. “We didn’t want to lose to them again. The feeling tonight is just amazing. I never thought we’d finish this high up. It’s a great way to finish the year.”
Juniors Jimmy Reitenbach, Alex Miehls and Michael Weber teamed up with Everhart. Last year, the EC boys 200 relay of Reitenbach, Weber, Everhart and Nick Poling was only 24th.
Columbus St. Charles (1:23.25) beat Cincinnati St. Xavier (1:23.50) for the win.
Heidersbach was also jazzed about her school-record performance in the Division II 100 free, finishing sixth in 53.38. She was seeded just seventh after the morning prelims (54.62).
“I’m just so happy right now that I can barely think,” she said. “It’s just been a great day.”
Heidersbach finished third in Friday’s Division II 50-yard free in a time of 24.37. She was seeded No. 3 (24.41) heading into the state meet and was the No. 4 seed (24.62) after morning prelims.
Tweardy placed 11th in the 50 free after placing third in the consolation finals (25.23). She was seeded ninth (24.84) coming into the state meet and was the 11th seed (25.27) after prelims. Hamp was also an 11th-place finisher in the 100 back (1:02.01).
“We got every swim to finals (7-for-7). It’s just amazing,” said Elyria Catholic coach Jack Dibee. “It just set the tone. The kids swam fantastic all weekend long. They were focused. They weren’t going to let anything get in the way. I had my hopes at the beginning of the year, but I certainly didn’t expect all of them to pan out.”
The EC girls 200 medley relay finished 11th in Friday’s consolations (1:55.53). Heidersbach, freshman Kelly O’Dell, Hamp combined with Tweardy for the relay effort. EC was the No. 13 seed (1:55.46). Hawken successfully defended its title (1:48.43).
Bay junior Amanda Ritzenthaler was All-Ohio Division II, finishing eighth in the 100 back (1:01.74). She was 13th in Friday’s 200 IM (2:18.26). She’s the first Bay girl to finish all-state (top eight) for a swimming event.
The Westlake girls’ 200 free relay of junior Casey Hamilton, sophomore Grace Pophal, senior Emily Splain and junior Alaine Perconti was 11th (1:40.24). Upper Arlington won the event in a state record time of 1:35.08.
Westlake freshman Megan Splain finished 23rd in Friday’s Division I 200 individual medley (2:16.53). She is the first state qualifier in that event in the history of the girls’ program, which began in the 1972-73 school year. Cincinnati Ursuline senior Sarah Tanner won the event with a time of 2:04.49.
Contact Paul Heyse at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. 

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