Official Website: www.gcsto.com       614-478-5445      PO Box 30483, Gahanna, OH 43230                                                       Steve Nye: Head Coach/Owner   stevenye@sbcglobal.net
Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio

Swim Team Information

 


Novice Meet Pictures
Please CLICK HERE to see some awesome pictures of our Novice Meet. Thanks to everyone who came out and made this such a huge success including coach Laura & the other coaching staff members who helped. To see results of this meet please CLICK HERE! And a big old congratulations goes out to all of these swimmers!

Cottrell & Martin Rock At SC Nationals 
GCSTO's Andee Cottrell & Maddie Martin swam their first Senior level National Meet in Federal Way on December 4 at the USA Swimming Short Course National Championships. Both rose to the occasion and found that they can compete with the best of the best in the United States. Competing against other age group swimmers (not many others their age but a few), many college swimmers, former Olympians, postgraduates & foreign athletes they represented the team well. Maddie went into the meet in the 100 fly seeded around 85th and rose about 24 spots to 61st in the 100 fly with her second best time ever (57.28). Andee went in seeded last in the event and rose over 23 spots after swimming her best time ever in the 100 breast (1:05.58). Andee's time is the 14th fastest in the country for the 13-14 girls 100 breast this year since September while Maddie's ties her for the 11th fastest time in the 13-13 girls 100 fly to date. Both athletes proved that even at 14 years old and even without the "suits", they could compete with best and showed that it's still about the athlete and not about the suit! Congratulations go out to these two!    

Finnegan To Join 2008 NCAA Champions Arizona Wildcats
GCSTO's Gracie Finnegan has made a verbal commitment to the Arizona University Wildcats who were the Women's NCAA National Champions in 2008 and who have produced 2 NCAA "Women of the Year" in the last 3 years (Whitney Myer's in 2007 and Lacey Nymeyer in 2009). Congratulations Gracie!

Whitaker To Join The Minnesota Golden Gophers 
GCSTO's Sandy Whitaker has made his commitment to the University of Minnesota. Sandy is a USA Swimming Junior & Senior National qualifier with GCSTO and was the Ohio High School State Champion in, both, the 100yd backstroke and the 100yd butterfly events last year. Sandy adds to an incredibly strong list if recruits that the Golden Gophers have brought in, yet, again, this year. Congratulations Sandy!

2009 National Championship Qualifiers Announced
  Emily Boone, Andee Cottrell, Gracie Finnegan, Maddie Martin, Hope Mitchell & Sandy Whitaker have all qualified for the US Short Course National Championships to be held in Federal Way, WA the first week of December. This is a tremendous honor for these athletes as this meet is where past Olympians and America's up and coming superstars will converge for head on head competition and will be joined by athletes from countries across the world! This is a dog eat dog competition with no age limits. These athletes have made a giant leap in their careers to qualify for such an event and are to be congratulated. Note that GCSTO graduates Ashley Specht (Indiana) & Carl Svagerko (Pitt) both also qualified for this meet but are now off to college giving GCSTO 8 individual event qualifiers for this meet overall!

2009 Junior National Championship Qualifiers Announced
Emily Boone, Andee Cottrell, Gracie Finnegan, Maddie Martin, Hope Mitchell & Sandy Whitaker have all qualified in individual events for the US Short Course Junior National Championships to be held OSU right here in Columbus the second week of December. They will be joined by relay qualifiers Morgan Belli, Ronnie Bolden, William Rosler & Tyler Simonton. This is USA Swimming's National Championship meet for 19 & under swimmers from all across America. Again, we would like to congratulate these athletes for this incredible honor! Ashley Specht (Indiana) & Carl Svagerko (Pitt) both also qualified for this meet but are now off to college giving GCSTO 8 individual event qualifiers for this meet overall!


2008/2009 A HUGE Time of Success - GCSTO STRONG
As most of you know we made some major changes commencing a year ago spring in terms of how we approached everything as a program. When making changes within a program, one cannot afford just to say that they “thought” the new approach worked but must come up with a way to measure such changes… they have to “KNOW” that it worked. By measuring or comparing the quality control indices that are associated with our sport in terms of performance from the years previous to this past year we could come up with some definitive evidence as to how our changes influenced the athletes within our program. Here are those indices and there's no doubt about the fact that things went very, very well this year. We are PROUD of what our swimmers, coaches and parents have done to contribute to these accomplishments!  A brief synopsis is below but you can click on the "Swim Team Information" tab to the left to see everyone's name associated with each category!


State Age Group Championship Team- 29 overall qualifiers last year versus 40 this year (with championship meet time standards that were tightened by so much this past winter that the state championship meet was 28% smaller than the year before!)

National AAA Team - 46 swimmers versus our 27 of the year before

Top 16 Reportable Times - 15 events versus our 3 of the year before

Sectional Team - 34 versus 16 of the year before

Junior Nationals Team - 10 versus our 4 of the year before

Senior Nationals Team - 7 versus our 2 of the year before

World Championship Trials Team - 2... also 2 Olympic Trial qualifiers last year

State Champions - 23 versus our 6 of the previous year

Team Record Breakers - 59 versus the 23 of the previous year

Toyota Virtual Club Championships - 100th place team in the previous year with a 7,400 point LEAP this year bringing us to 87th.

USA Swimming's Club Recognition Program - We were Level 1 the year before and have now moved to Level 2.

USA Swimming's Club Excellence Program - We have repeated as a Bronze Medal club for the second year in a row!

Nickelodeon's Parent's Pick Award - GCSTO's Swim School (swimming lesson program) won first place in this contest in this, the first year that we've been nominated.

A HUGE Year Of Success In Detail


State Age Group Championship Team- 29 overall qualifiers last year versus 40 this year (with championship meet time standards that were tightened by so much this past winter that the state championship meet was 28% smaller than the year before!)

Major Belli, Morgan Belli, Ronnie Bolden, Riley Buer, Michael Bungard, Andy Carper, Andee Cottrell, Cara Demyan, Regan DeWitt, Andrea Devakul, Chris D’Angelo, Hayley Elizondo, Aly Francis, Nate Goldfarb, Lily Green, Miaya Green, William Grodesky, Suzanne Hrabowy, Hope Kahrig, Patrick Kelly, Alex Kocher, Anya Kone, Tin Le, Trung Le, Maddie Martin, Morgan      McCafferty, Patrick McCafferty, Nick McKinley, Kelsey Morgan, Kasey Pastor, Natty Patterson, Rachel Politi, Joel Serafy, Rachel Serafy, Nick Spargrove, Ashley Stewart, Carson Van Farowe,  Dylan Warren, Gabe Whitaker, Drew Wilson

National AAA Team - 46 swimmers versus our 27 of the year before

Tiffany Aeling, Trevor Askins, Logan Bauer, Morgan Belli, Maddy Bentley, Ronnie Bolden, Emily Boone, Rachel Chickerella, Catie Clark, Andee Cottrell, Cara Demyan, Regan DeWitt, Patrick Donohoe, Gracie Finnegan, Aly Francis, Lily Green, Miaya Green, Ranndi Grubbs, Suzanne Hrabowy, Patrick Kelly, Sam Kocher, Anya Kone, Tin Le, Trung Le, Jenna Lindner, Maddie Martin, Paige Martin, Morgan McCafferty, Nick McKinley, Hope Mitchell, Kasey Pastor, Rachel Politi, William Rosler, Rachel Serafy, Justin Shotwell, Taylor Shotwell, Tyler Simonton, Nick Spargrove, Ashley Specht, Cooper Staton, Joe Staursky, Ashley Stewart, Carl Svagerko, Corey Taylor, Gabe Whitaker, Sandy Whitaker

Top 16 Reportable Times - (15 events versus our 3 of the year before)

Ronnie Bolden (50 & 100 free), Andee Cottrell (100 breast), Gracie Finnegan (50 & 100 frees), Lily Green (50 free), Maddie Martin (100 fly), Morgan McCafferty (50 & 100 backs), Nick McKinley (100 breast), Ashley Specht (100 breast), Morgan Belli, Andee Cottrell, Maddie Martin & Aly Francis – 200M & 400M and 200yd & 400yd medley relays

Sectional Team - 34 versus 16 of the year before

Tiffany Aeling, Trevor Askins, Morgan Belli, Maddy Bentley, Andrew Birnbrich, Ronnie Bolden, Emily Boone, Rachel Chickerella, Catie Clark, Andrea Cottrell, Cara Demyan, Patrick Donohoe, Gracie Finnegan, Aly Francis, Lily Green, Suzanne Hrabowy, Ranndi Grubbs, Patrick Kelly, Sam Kocher, Jenna Lindner, Maddie Martin, Morgan McCafferty, Nick McKinley, Hope Mitchell, Zach Poltor, William Rosler, Justin Shotwell, Tyler Simonton, Ashley Specht, Cooper Staton, Joe Staursky, Carl Svagerko, Corey Taylor, Sandy Whitaker

Junior Nationals Team (10 versus our 4 of the year before)

Emily Boone, Gracie Finnegan, Sam Kocher, Hope Mitchell, Zach Poltor (relay), William Rosler (relay), Ashley Specht, Carl Svagerko, Cooper Staton (relay), Sandy Whitaker

Senior Nationals Team (4 versus our 2 of the year before)

Gracie Finnegan, Hope Mitchell, Ashley Specht, Sandy Whitaker

World Championship Trials Team (meet not held last year)

Gracie Finnegan, Ashley Specht

State Champions (23 versus our 6 of the previous year!)

Ohio High School State Championship Meet

Gracie Finnegan - State D1 Champion 50yd free, State D1 Champion 100yd free
Ashley Specht - State D1 Champion 100 breast
Carl Svagerko - State D2 Champion 100 fly
Sandy Whitaker - State D1 Champion 100yd butterfly, State D1 Champion 100yd backstroke

Ohio Age Group State Championship Meets

Ronnie Bolden – 50yd & 100yd free 13-14 boys
Andee Cottrell – 100yd & 100M breast 13-14 girls
Aly Francis – 50M free
Tin Le – 10 & under boys 50M free
Maddie Martin – 100yd, 200yd, 100M butterfly 13-14 girls

Nick McKinley – 100M breast 13-14 boys
Morgan Belli, Andee Cottrell, Maddie Martin & Aly Francis – 200M & 400M and 200yd & 400yd medley relays

Ohio Senior State Championship Meets

Sandy Whitaker – 100yd fly, 100yd free
Sam Kocher, Justin Shotwell, Sandy Whitaker & Zach Poltor – 200 free relay

Team Record Breakers (59 final records versus the 23 of last year)

10 & under
Dylan Warren, Nate Goldfarb, Patrick McCafferty, Tin Lee - Male 200M medley relay (2:45.68)
Tin Lee, Carson VanFarowe, Dylan Warren, Drew Wilson - Male 200M free relay (2:18.53)

11-12
Lilly Green - Female 50M free (28.31), 100M free (1:03.68)
Morgan McCafferty - Female 50M back (33.76), 100M back (1:10.63)
Lily Green, Rachel Politi, Sidney Martin, Anya Kone’ - Female 200M free relay (1:59.63)

13-14 Age Group
Ronnie Bolden - Male 50yd freestyle (21.71), 50M freestyle (25.10), 100yd freestyle (48.52), 100M freestyle (55.36)
Andee Cottrell - Female 100M breast (1:14.66)
Aly Francis - Female 50M free (27.64)
Maddie Martin - Female 100yd butterfly (56.81), 100M butterfly (1:04.56), 200yd butterfly (2:05.29), 200M butterfly (2:26.88), 200yd freestyle (1:56.41), 200M free (2:13.21), 400yd IM (4:36.87)
Nick McKinley - Male 100yd breaststroke (1:01.84), 100M breaststroke (1:10.82), 200yd breaststroke (2:19.97)
Morgan Belli, Andrea Cottrell, Maddie Martin, Aly Francis - Female 200yd free relay (1:38.90), 200M free relay (1:51.87)
Suzanne Hrabowy, Aly Francis, Maddie Martin & Morgan Belli - Female 400yd free relay (3:42.61), 400M free relay (4:06.31)
Andrea Cottrell, Maddie Martin, Aly Francis & Morgan Belli - Female 800yd free relay (7:56.24), 800M free relay (9:07.72)
Morgan Belli, Andrea Cottrell, Maddie Martin, Aly Francis - Female 200yd medley relay (1:49.22), 200M medley relay (2:03.33/New State Record)
Morgan Belli, Andrea Cottrell, Maddie Martin, Aly Francis - Female 400yd medley relay (3:54.17), 400M medley relay (4:32.66)

15-16 Age Group
Emily Boone - Female 100yd butterfly (56.08)
Emily Boone - Female 200yd IM (2:05.10)
Gracie Finnegan - Female 50yd freestyle (22.89)
Gracie Finnegan - Female 100yd freestyle (49.67)
Gracie Finnegan - Female 200M freestyle (2:11.83/tied the record)
Gracie Finnegan - Female 200yd freestyle (1:54.19)
Sam Kocher - Male 100yd free (46.64)
Sam Kocher - Male 200yd free (1:41.70)
Sam Kocher - Male 100yd back (52.47)
William Rosler, Patrick Kelly, Tyler Simonton & Zach Poltor - Male 800M free relay (8:23.44)

17-18 Age Group
Gracie Finnegan - Female 100M freestyle (58.32)
Jenna Lindner - Female 200yd freestyle (1:53.16)
Jenna Lindner - Female 400M freestyle (4:33.66)
Ashley Specht - Female 100yd breaststroke (1:01.89) *New State Record
Sandy Whitaker - Male 100yd butterfly (48.88)

15-18 Age Group
Gracie Finnegan, Suzanne Hrabowy, Jenna Lindner & Rachel Chickerella - Female 400yd free relay (3:34.78)
Jenna Lindner, Gracie Finnegan, Tiffany Aeling & Emily Boone - Female 800M free relay (8:50.70)
Sandy Whitaker, Corey Taylor, Carl Svagerko & Sam Kocher - Male 200yd medley relay (1:35.53)
Sandy Whitaker, Carl Svagerko, Sam Kocher & Zach Poltor - Male 400yd free relay (3:10.55)
Sandy Whitaker, Sam Kocher, Carl Svagerko & Patrick Kelly - Male 800yd free relay (6:58.24)
Cooper Staton, Wliiam Rosler, Zach Poltor & Carl Svagerko - Male 400M free relay (3:38.18) 

Open
Gracie Finnegan - Female 100yd freestyle (49.67)
Ashley Specht - Female 100yd breaststroke (1:01.89) *New State Open Record
Sandy Whitaker - Male 100yd butterfly (48.88)
Morgan Belli, Andrea Cottrell, Maddie Martin, Aly Francis - Female 400yd medley relay (3:54.17)
Jenna Lindner, Gracie Finnegan, Tiffany Aeling & Emily Boone - Female 800M free relay (8:50.70)


WHEW... to say the least!!!!