Hamilton Southeastern swept Avon on Tuesday in the Royals’ first home dual meet of the season.
The Southeastern girls won 131-55, an effort that included nine event victories and two 1-2-3 sweeps. Kayleigh Witt paced the 200 freestyle, with Ellie Pedersen second and Olivia Vicory third, then Sarah Ballard won diving, with Ashley Sinicropi second and Halli Siwik third.
Other Royals winners were Hannah Pugh in the butterfly, Abby Harter in the 100 free, Bri Saple in the 500 free, Molly Pedersen in the backstroke, the medley relay team of Makana Goss, Molly Robinson, Pugh and Harter; the 200 free relay team of Molly Pedersen, Kennedy Fisher, Saple and Harter and the 400 free relay team of Harter, Saple, Witt and Molly Pedersen.
The Southeastern boys won their meet 120-65. After dropping the first three events, the Royals won six of the next nine races. Andrew Christopher led a 1-2-3 sweep of the 50 free, with Zack Bostock second and Nick Bostock third. The HSE divers followed that with a 1-2-3 sweep; Nathan Barr was first, followed by AJ Ricafort and Noah Ebeyer.
DJ Rogers won the 100 free, and later was part of the winning 200 free relay team, with Zack Bostock, Keegan Streett and Evan Sellers. Thomas Reising paced the breaststroke, then Blake Ratliff, Sellers, Andrew Christopher and Connor Harrison won the 400 free relay.
“This is the heavy competition time of the season for the Royals – two more meets this week so not much time to work on things,” said Royals coach Andy Pedersen. “We are challenging these young men to balance their schedule with schoolwork, proper sleep, and rock-solid nutrition. There will not be much time for video games/TV this week and we will know how they handle this challenge by Saturday afternoon. We have a feeling it is going to go very well – these guys are tough, drive, and surrounded with good leadership. Hang with us Royal Nation – this group is starting to come together.”
