Oxford swamps Ferndale
OXFORD — Behind another dominating effort, Oxford took the next leg towards its first OAA Blue Division boys swimming and diving championship Thursday.
The Wildcats glided past Ferndale in convincing fashion, 144-328, to move to 5-2 overall and 5-2 in conference meets — by the far the best start in the program’s four-year history.
“We exhibitioned our last five races to even out the score a little bit to 88-61,” noted Oxford coach Jackie Rank, who also coaches the school’s girls program in the fall. “We are (stil unbeaten) in the league, a good start for us.”
LURKING: Oxford's Joey Tasch and the Wildcats scored in four events in the Wildcats' OAA Blue Division win over Ferndale. Photo | Kirk Bearse, www.catsdenphoto.com
Oxford, which finished fifth in the league last season in its first year in the OAA, remained the only unbeaten team in the conference entering the final weeks of the regular season.
Oxford’s took the top two slots in the 200 medley relay to set the tone and never gave the Eagles a fighting chance.
Jarred Butler took first in the 20 freestyle and beat the school record with a time of 1:49.48, followed closely Cheyne Stresky and Sean Thomas came in the next two slots, as Oxford routinely swept the top three slots in almost every event.
Erick Vandecar set a new school record of 2:15.19 in the 200 IM, followed by Lewis Marshall (Second) and Chad Scribner (fourth) for Oxford. Joey Tasch touched first in the 50 free (23.75), ahead of teammates Nico McNeil and Corey Jones.
Matthew Campagiorni led a top three sweep in the diving event with a 211.40 score. Jared Tasch and Marco Campagiorni took second and third place, respectively.
Later in the meet, Vandercar came back to win the 10 butterfly (1:01.29), ahead of Joey Tasch, while Blake Hibdon won the 10 free (5.23), followed closely by Sean Thomas and Doug Butkiewicz.
Butler, who has already qualified for the county and state meets in several events, set another school record in wining the 50 free (4:59.91), which vaults him in the top 10 for Oakland County. Stresky came in the runner-up slot and Lewis Marshall claimed third for yet another sweep.
Dwight Merrill recorded Oxford’s other individual win in the 1o0 breaststroke with atime 1:14.84 clocking. James Beaupied and Chad Scribner finished in second and third place respectively for the Wildcats.
Oxford also won the 20 free relay (1:41.38) and caped the meet with a 3:32.45 clocking in the 400 free relay.
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