Warren’s Francis, Division II State Swim Meet Finalist

Article presented by Kingston National Bank …

Of the six swimmers from the Southeast District qualifying for the 2023 Division II State Swim Meet in Canton, only Warren’s Mason Francis will have a chance at reaching the podium in Friday’s finals.

Francis, a sophomore for the Warriors, placed 2nd in the Boys 50 Yard Free, just four hundredths of a second behind Ohio State commit, Evan Blazer of Kenton Ridge. Francis was 5th fastest in the Boys 100 Yard Free.

The top eight placers in Thursday’s prelims will swim for championships in their respective events Friday at C.T. Branin Natatorium. The 9th through 16th finishers will swim Friday for consolation placement.

Just missing that opportunity is Logan Elm’s Lindsey Bright. Her time in the Girls 500 Yard Free was good enough for 9th place, .66 seconds back of the cut off. Bright, a sophomore, had a 10th place finish in the Girls 200 Yard Free. Athens freshman, Katelin Fridrich, placed 18th in the 200 Free and 23rd in the 500 Free.

Chillicothe’s Ryan Blum had a 17th place in the Boys 100 Yard Fly, but due to a disqualification, Blum was bumped up to 16th. The junior’s time of 52.99 was .02 seconds out of 15th.

Elsewhere, the Cavaliers’ Jake Byrd, a senior, was 28th in the Boys 200 Yard Free and 32nd in the Boys 500 Yard Free. Wheelersburg sophomore Catie Boggs was 25th in the Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke.