O'Rourke Narrowly Misses At-large Bid for States

While Avon Lake diver Morgan Srail had her ticket punched to the Division I state swimming and diving championships in Canton by claiming the Cleveland State district title, teammate Ethan O'Rourke, who placed seventh in 200-yard individual medley and ninth in the 100 free at District, failed to receive an at-large bid.

Swimming in the final heat of the 200 IM, O'Rourke cut more than three seconds off his sectional time with a 2:00.45, finishing behind event winner Gavin Trebilcock of Canfield (1:54.27). The final at-large position to Canton went to sophomore Ryan Hutcheson of Hudson with a 1:59.27.

O'Rourke also swam in the final heat of the 100 free, placing ninth with a 48.70, four seconds behind district-record winner Michael Meldon of Strongsville (44.70). Both Michael Kaplan of Brush and Braxten Judkins of Grove City secured the last two at-large slots with District times of 47.71.

"We were thinking Canton but if that doesn't happen, Ethan had a couple of very good swims," Avon Lake coach Rob Schmidt said. "He's definitely on the bubble."

The district meet advances five swimmers from each event to the state meet with the rest of the field determined by times at all district meets around the state before the Ohio High School Athletic Association announces on Sunday the final 24 invited to swim in Canton.

Srail earned her spot in Canton with 478.95 points to claim the district title and lead nine divers out of the Cleveland State district to the state meet.

"Morgan is having phenomenal dives right now," said Schmidt. "There are times when she scores more points that the entire opposing team (in a dual meet)."

had two other divers reach the district meet with Tyler Nock 19th among the boys (227.95 points) and Rachel Campo finishing 29th among the girls with 124.00 points.