Rustin boys storm back to remain undefeated in Ches-Mont American
Kennett Square — Entering Friday night’s showdown both the boys and girls swimming teams for Unionville and West Chester Rustin were undefeated in the Ches-Mont League American Division. With sole possession of first place on the line, it was the Unionville girls and Rustin boys who came out on top. The Indians cruised to a 100-65 victory but the Golden Knights had a much more dramatic win. They erased a 15-point deficit to upend Unionville, 85-82.
With the score tied 30-30 at the halfway point, someone needed to step up and take charge for their team. That swimmer was Rustin’s Brenden Yoo. With his team trailing by a steep 15 points with four events remaining, they needed a spark. The senior gave it to them in the 100-yard backstroke.
“I tried to get out fast and hold the lead,’ Yoo said. “I was going against Buckley and he is a great swimmer. We have raced against each other since my freshman year. He’s a great swimmer and I just tried my best to hold him off.’
His big night would not end there. With the meet coming down to the final event, the 400-freestyle relay, Yoo was the anchor for the Golden Knights (3-0, 4-1-1). They were neck-and-neck for the final 50 yards, but the senior edged Unionville’s Nicholas Yang, clinching the victory for Rustin.
“A win like this was huge for our team. We want to get a three-peat in the Ches-Mont American and winning tonight gave us a great chance of doing that,’ Yoo said.
No one was prouder of the comeback than head coach Andrew Austria.
“It was a nail bitter,’ Austria said. “Our team really picked it up after the 200-freestyle relay. Every day in training we talk about not just grabbing first place but seconds and thirds and fourths. Every place matters, and every point matters, we were able to get those extra points at the end and it made the difference tonight.’
Rustin also received strong efforts from Tyler Cummings who won the 100 butterfly, 100 breastwork, and was apart of the 200-freestyle relay, and 200-medley relay.
While the end result may have been a disappointing for the Indians (2-1, 4-2), they made great strides from a season ago. They lost to Rustin by 30 points in the 2013-2014 season, so to see the score differential narrow, was something coach Bill Gordon was pleased with.
“They competed hard today and they did that today,’ Gordon said. “Each and everyone of them swam their hearts out and I could not be prouder of their efforts tonight.’
In the girls meet the Indians (3-0, 5-1) returned the favor, handling the Golden Knights from start to finish. No one had a better day then Laura Barthold. She took first place in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and was apart of the winning 200-medley relay, and 200-freestyle relay.
“I think it all begins with practice,’ Barthold said. ” We had a lot of hard practices during break and it really helped me get into good shape for these meets.’
The senior has been so reliable for her team, and is a key reason why they are in first place in their division.
‘ She’s awesome,’ Gordon said. “Knowing I can put her into the lineup, I know we will get a win. She is an automatic win, and that is a nice comfort to know you will win the event every time she swims.’
For the Golden Knights (2-1, 4-2) Megan Koczur swam well. She took first in the 200-individual medley, winning by under a second.
Up next for both teams, Rustin travels to Downingtown East on Wednesday, and Unionville hosts Sun Valley next Friday.
Girls
Unionville 100, West Chester Rustin 65
200-yard medley relay — Unionville (Grimes, Barthhold, Hewton, Wentz) 1:54.18; 200 freestyle — Barthold (U) 1:59.20; 200 IM — Koczur (WCR) 2:18.40; 50 freestyle — Wentz (U) 26.30; 100 butterfly — Grimes (U) 1.00.79; 100 freestyle — Foote (U) 56.85; 500 freestyle — Barthold (U) 5:21.02; 200 freestyle relay — Unionville (Grimes, Wentz, Garvey, Barthold) 1:46.39; 100 backstroke — Grimes (U) 1:02.40; 100 breaststroke — Hontz (WCR) 1:12.15; 400 freestyle relay — West Chester Rustin (Darmofal, Kling, Register, McGlaughlin) 4:25.30.
Boys
West Chester Rustin 85, Unionville 82
200-yard medley relay — West Chester Rustin (Yoo,Hontz, Cummings, DeWitt ) 1:43.52; 200 freestyle — Yang (U) 1:53.36; 200 IM — Buckley (U) 2:04.76; 50 freestyle — Vaselli (WCR) 23.98; 100 butterfly — Cummings (WCR) 53.22; 100 freestyle — Tascione (U) 53.88; 500 freestyle — Yang (U) 5:01.46; 200 freestyle relay — West Chester Rustin (Cummings, Brown, Gress, DeWitt ) 1:35.76; 100 backstroke — Yoo (WCR) :54.91; 100 breaststroke — Cummings (WCR) 1:03.27; 400 freestyle relay — West Chester Rustin (Gress, Vaselli, Brown, Yoo) 3:32.32.
