By Don Esksin (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Glendale Lady Falcons topped a 13 team field gathered at the John Foster Natatorium, on Saturday afternoon, to claim the 2020 Ozarks Invitational Swim Meet.
The Falcons posted a team high score of 370 points en route to the victory.
Poplar Bluff, with 306 points, finished second with Central High, who registered 302, grabbing third.
“We’ve had a good front half of the season highlighted by our win in the All-City Meet,” said Glendale head coach Steve Boyce. “Grabbing today’s Ozarks Invitational has been a great way for our kids to start off the new year.”
The Lady Falcons, despite winning the meet by 64 points, recorded just one first place finish.
Glendale’s Maddie Smith, with a total of 358.80 points, was the Falconss’ only individual meet champion in 1 Mtr. Diving.
“We don’t have any superstars, kids who can go out and dominate events,” said Boyce. “But what we do have is lot of kids who like to swim. They’re all hard workers and they’ve helped to create a lot of depth for us. Our one through four kids are scoring points. They all swam fantastic for us today and that’s why we won.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MEET
Izzy Dunn, who placed second in the 100-yard backstroke, with a time of 1:05.41, is one of them.
“We have lots of kids who are contributing this year,” said Dunn. “They’re very good swimmers and good at doing a lot of things so they’re all very capable of helping us to score points.”
But Dunn said there were a couple of other things that have figured into this year’s Lady Falcon success.
“We have a great team atmosphere,” said the Glendale junior. “Everyone is so supportive of each other and we’re all good friends. I think that makes us all swim harder.”
“But coach Boyce is the biggest reason we’re experiencing so much success,” said Dunn. “He works us really hard but he’s very supportive and has a plan for all of us. I love him a bunch.”
With 12 events on hand to compete in most all team’s kids saw success at some level. Maggie Moore, of the Summit Prep & NCA, was one of them.
Moore picked up individual firsts in both the 50-Yard Freestyle (24.57) and the 100-Yard Backstroke (59.6).
“I’m really happy with my effort today. It was really exciting for me to get to race with a couple of seniors and my good friend Maggie Atwood of Logan Rogersville,” said Moore. “It was just a lot of fun racing today. This tournament has allowed me to work on my skills to help me get prepared for competing at state.”
Also in the winner’s circle was Parkview’s Audrie Duchscherer. The Parkview swimmer collected individual titles in the 100-Yard Freestyle (55.42) and the 200-Yard Freestyle (1:59.99).
“This my senior season so I want it to be a really good one,” said Duchscherer. “I’m really hoping to be able to continue to drop my times as I get closer to state.”
In the relays, Rogersville captured a first in the 200-Yard Medley Relay. The Lady Wildcat squad, which turned in a time of 1:57.97, was comprised of Emily Floyd, Cabrini Johnson, Elise Evans and Maddie Atwood.
“This is a very special year for me and two other teammates, Cabrini Johnson and Elise Evans, on our relay team,” said Floyd. “We’re all three seniors so this will be our last year to swim together. Every time we get in the water we always do our best because we want this to be our best year ever. I’m really going to miss being a Lady Wildcat next year.”
Ozark Invite Event Winners
200 Yard Medley Relay: 1. Logan Rogersville 1:57.97
200 Yard Freestyle: 1. Audrey Duchscherer/Parkview/1:59.99
200 Yard IM: 1. Faith Guyer/Summit Prep & NCA/2:16.34
50 Yard Freestyle: 1. Maggie Moore/Summit Prep & NCA/24.57
1 Mtr. Diving: Maddie Smith/Glendale/358.80
100 Yard Butterfly: Maddie Atwood/Logan Rogersville/1:00.75
100 Yard Freestyle: Audrey Duchscherer/Parkview/55.42
500 Yard Freestyle: Cabrini Johnson/Logan Rogersville/5:24.46
200 Yard Freestlyle Relay: Logan Rogersville/1:46.45
100 Yard Backstroke: Maggie Moore/Summit Prep & NCA/59.06
100 Yard Breaststroke: Cabrini Johnson/Logan Rogersville/1:10.16
400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Central/3:58.19
Ozark Invite Team Results
1. Glendale – 370
2. Poplar Bluff – 306
3. Central – 302
4. Rogersville – 260
5. Summit Prep & NCA – 161
6. Ozark – 143
7. Monett – 126
8. Republic – 107
9. Hillcrest – 92
10. Parkview – 77
11. Winnetonka – 73
12. Bolivar – 50
13. Marshfield – 28
