Decatur Swimmers Prep for States

BERLIN- After finishing a close second in the Maryland Class 3A-2A-1A regional meet last weekend, Stephen Decatur's fledgling boys' and girls' varsity swim teams are ready to take their marks in the state championship meet that gets underway tomorrow.

In just its second year of existence, and its first as an officially sanctioned team sport, Decatur's boys and girls varsity swim teams have already made a big splash. Last weekend, the Seahawks came in a close second in the state Class 3A-2A-1A east regional meet with 262 total team points, just behind Cambridge-South Dorchester, which won the event with 280 total team points.

As a result, the Decatur swim teams will be well represented at the state championship meet this weekend at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. A total of 11 girls' will compete in 16 individual events and eight Seahawk boys will compete in 11 individual events. Decatur will also compete in four relay events at states.

Five Seahawk girls will compete in multiple events including Taylor Blazer, 200-meter freestyle and 200 medley relay; Brianna Carroll, 200 individual medley and 200-meter medley relay; Catelin Geiser, 50-meter freestyle and 200-meter medley; Jessica Giles, 100-meter breast stroke and 400 freestyle relay; and Katie Hansen, 500 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay.

Decatur female swimmers competing in single events at states this weekend include Lindsey Bankart (200 freestyle), Sarah Meadows (100 butterfly), Rachael Pacella (200 medley relay), Laura Prengaman (200 medley relay), Jenny Sullivan (100 backstroke), and Krysten Wolinski (100 meter breast stroke).

On the boys' side, Jake Blazer will compete in the 200-meter freestyle and the 200-meter medley relay; Austin Deppe is slated for the 200 individual medley and the 200 medley relay; and Stephen Kosinski will compete in the 200 freestyle and the 200 medley relay. Other Seahawks scheduled to compete include Bo Deskins, Brandon Flakowitz, Robert Layton, Garrett Neville and Christian Yandle, each of whom will compete in the 200 medley relay.