Bowlus breaks meet record; 22 team records set

WAPAKONETA, Ohio – On July 8-9, 2022, the Bluffton Sardines were repeat performers bringing home the WOAL trophy for the second year in a row. Both the boys and the girls teams placed first out of eight teams in the 40th annual Elks Invitational Swim Meet Western Ohio Aquatics League Championship at the Wapakoneta Community Pool.

The Bluffton girls finished with 1,191 points followed by Westside Swim & Racket Club (1,036), Wapakoneta Waves (986), Findlay YMCA Frogs (967.5), Shawnee Country Club (884), Kenton Area Swim Team (637), Ada (593.5) and Van Wert YMCA Marlins (101).

The Bluffton boys had 1,547.5 points followed by the Wapakoneta Waves (1,050.5), Ada (741), Findlay YMCA Frogs (700), Westside Swim & Racket Club (658.5), Shawnee Country Club (654), Kenton Area Swim Team (503.5) and Van Wert YMCA Marlins (214).

Jackson Bowlus set a new WOAL record with a time of 29.34 seconds in the boys 13-14 50 meter backstroke; breaking Michael Johnston’s (Wapakoneta Waves) 2014 mark of 29.38. 

Jackson Bowlus and Ethan Roby, 10, placed first in all five of their events; a first for both swimmers.

Three Sardine seniors were also honored on the second day of the event: 

Jackson Wilson is the son of Jennie and Brent Wilson and graduated from Bluffton High School. He participated in the ELKS WOAL Championships for 13 years. Jackson is currently employed as the Assistant Manager at the Bluffton Pool and enjoys football and baseball. Jackson plans to attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall and major in Electrical Engineering. 

Trent Howard is the son of Travis and Anna Howard and graduated from Bluffton High School. He participated in 9 ELKS WOAL Championships. Trent currently works for Dunkin Donuts and enjoys spending time with family and friends, helping others, and gaming. Trent plans on attending Ohio Northern University in the fall and majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Malia Lee is the daughter of David and Andréa Lee and graduated from Cory-Rawson High School. She participated in 11 ELKS WOAL Championships. Malia enjoys cheerleading, reading, teaching her first grade class at Gateway, tubing, hanging out with her family. Malia plans to attend Bluffton University in the fall to major in Elementary Education. 

There were 22 team records set during the weekend:

Kari Diller, girls 11-12: 50 free 30.85; 100 free 1:08:37

Jenna Downey, girls 13-14: 50 free 28.65; 100 free 1:03:64; 50 back 33.56; 50 fly 31.42

Izzy Stechschulte, girls 15 & Over: 50 free 28.63; 100 free 1:03:49

Allison Diller, girls 15 & Over: 50 back 34.32; 50 breast 36.68

Macy Wilson, girls 15 & Over: 50 fly 32.30

Jackson Bowlus, boys 13-14: 50 free 25.83; 50 back 29.34

Riley Verb, boys 15 & Over: 50 back 28.93; 50 breast 32.70; 100 individual medley 1:02:82  

Boys 11-12 200 Medley Relay: Caleb Cockerham; Camden Verb; Caleb Eley and Ethan Smith with a time of 2:42:73

Boys 13-14 200 Medley Relay: Jackson Bowlus, Mason Shank, Charles Wright and Aaron Ungaschick with a time of 2:11:83

Girls 15 & Over 200 Medley Relay: Macy Wilson, Allison Diller, Izzy Stechschulte and Avery Bowers with a time of 2:13:27

Boys 15 & Over 200 Medley Relay: Grady Schaublin, Riley Verb, Landon Armstrong and Xavier Diller with a time of 2:02:86

Girls 15 & Over 200 Free Relay: Izzy Stechschulte; Avery Bowers; Macy Wilson and Allison Diller with a time of 1:56:77

Boys 15 & Over 200 Free Relay: Grady Schaublin, Landon Armstrong, Xavier Diller and Riley Verb with a time of 1:47:83

The Sardines are coached by Head Coach Bob Verb and assistant coaches Rachel Diller, April Dorman, Stephanie McMahon, Kyla Devier, Amanda Speicher and Ellie Hoffman. The 2022 team had 125 swimmers and 95 of those competed in the championship weekend. 

A complete list of individual Sardine results are attached HERE. (PDF key: Swimmer name, event, seed time, finish time, finish place and points.) 

More photos from Day 2 of the event by Jamie Nygaard can be found at 7-09-22 WOAL Swim CHAMPS at Wapak