Looking to defend their City County title, Daviess County swim was able to hold off the competition, winning with an overall score of 322. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams came out on top, with the Lady Panthers scoring 181, and the Panthers narrowly beating out Owensboro 141-136.
Daviess County won the girls’ 200 medley relay, girls’ 200 freestyle, girls 50 freestyle, girls’ 100 butterfly, boys 100 butterfly, girls 100 freestyle, girls 200 freestyle relay, girls’ 100 backstroke, and the girls’ 100 breaststroke.
On the diving side, Reed Burton won for the girls with a score of 142.8, while Cole Taylor (112.9) was the boys’ winner.
Owensboro Catholic was second with a team score of 236, with the girls placing second (153) and the boys third (83). They won the boys’ 200 freestyle relay, girls’ 200 IM, boys’ 200 IM, boys’ 50 freestyle, girls’ 500 freestyle, boys’ 200 freestyle relay, boys 100′ breaststroke, and the girls’ 400 freestyle relay.
“I think this was our best performance as a team so far this season,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Sam Howard said. “Everyone was in competition mode and really put in the effort.”
Owensboro was third overall (188), with the boys placing second (136), and the girls third (52). Ethan Lippert led the way, setting the new school record in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.86 seconds en route to first place in the event. Lippert broke the previous record of 49.25 seconds set by Luke Royal in 2011.
“It was super exciting,” Lippert said. “This record had been keeping me up at night every night, and I am really happy that I broke it. I used everything I had, and before I saw the time, I heard my parents screaming in the stands. I realized then that I definitely got it.”
Owensboro also won the boys’ 200 freestyle, boys’ 500 freestyle, boys 100 backstroke, and the boys 400 freestyle relay.
” I thought we did well. We have tough competitors, and the coaches in our area are dedicated to our athletes and work well together to sustain our sport,” Owensboro Head Coach Sean Jackson said. “We are also fortunate to have parents who support the community volunteering as officials, timers, concessions, ticket takers, as well as providing a memorable experience for seniors with banners, photos, and inscribed kickboards. There were many families in the natatorium who have multiple generations involved in aquatics. At least four coaches had the next generation carrying the torch.”
Apollo finished fourth overall, with their boys’ and girls’ teams both finishing fourth. On the girls’ diving side, Cedar Esposito placed second with a score of 128.35.
