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Mia Buff of St. Ursula Academy begins her leg of the 200-yard medley relay during the Ohio High School Girls Division I swimming championships Saturday in Canton.
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Division I girls swimming finals: St. Ursula's Buff finishes 4th in backstroke

SPECIAL TO THE BLADE/PHIL LONG

Division I girls swimming finals: St. Ursula's Buff finishes 4th in backstroke

CANTON — With three of its top competitors returning from last season, the St. Ursula girls swimming and diving team stepped its training up a notch.

The dividends from the extra work were paid at this year’s Division I state meet Friday and Saturday at Branin Natatorium in Canton.

In addition to having one of the state’s top sophomores, Mia Buff, place in the top eight in two individual events, the Arrows had a relay reach the podium and two other state-qualifying individuals.

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“We really had a different approach to our training this year,” senior Anna Harms said. “We worked a lot harder, and just coming out of a great district meet, it was really great to get that placement.”

Harms was the only senior at state for St. Ursula, which finished 13th (56) as Upper Arlington (313) won the championship.

Buff turned in a fourth-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke (55.66 seconds) and was seventh (55.75) in the 100 butterfly, and she joined Harms, junior Kendall Freeworth, and freshman Mia Harms on the 200 medley relay that was eighth (1:46.77).

Buff was fifth in the 100 fly and eighth in the 100 back as a freshman.

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“It took a lot of training to get here,” Buff said. “Our training was so much different this year, so much more intense, that it made us more hungry at the end. We ended up wanting to do better at the end because of how much work we did. It will make me more excited for next year.”

Harms was excited to compete this season with her sister Mia Harms, who watched her sister in previous state meets.

“She always pushed me hard in practices and in meets,” Mia Harms said. “It was a really cool environment to be in. It got me a lot of adrenaline.”

In addition, the 400 free relay of the same four was 14th (3:37.28), Anna Harms was 16th (24.51) in the 50 free, and Mia Harms placed 26th (53.87) in the 100 free.

“We just work well as a team, and it’s special that all four of us are on the same relay,” Freeworth said. “I’m so blessed to have this experience. It’s been one of a kind to see how intense the swimming is, and I’ve made so many new friends. I feel like the bond with my relays is closer than ever. First our dream was to get the school (in the 200 medley relay) and then it was to get to state, and we did (both).”

Perrysburg had a pair of individual competitors, with junior Natalie Sanders finishing ninth (1:53.26) in the 200 free and 15th (52.83) in the 100 free and freshman Paige Burkey placing 21st (58.22) in the 100 fly and 24th (58.85) in the 100 back.

“[Sanders is] a tough competitor,” Perrysburg coach Dave Stannert said. “She wants to compete and win, and she’s got a good, healthy competitive spirit. She works hard and has got a great personality. What a super kid.”

Sanders was making her third state appearance.

“I’m really excited to be here today,” Sanders said. “I love just coming and seeing all the competition. It’s just really mind-blowing seeing all these girls.”

Findlay junior Claire Kemmere finished 11th (5:08.94) in the 500 free and 13th (1:54.39) in the 200 free.

“This is my second time going to state and I feel like it went pretty well compared to last year because I didn’t make finals last year,” Kemmere said. “It was definitely better. I started [the 500 free] last year but the 500 is better because I get a lot more pace work in and I’m better at pacing myself. I feel like this definitely pushed me and especially not making finals last year, it gives me the mindset I want to be in.”

Fremont Ross’ 200 medley relay of seniors Megan Evans and Channing Stevenson and juniors Kamryn Krieger and Sydney Weickert placed 15th (1:40.64).

“It means a lot because we’ve been through a lot recently,” said Stevenson, who previously competed at state as a freshman and sophomore. “I’ve had a lot of health issues the last few years, and trying to work through that has been a big obstacle. Being a senior, that was my last swim ever, so it’s been emotional.”

Also competing at state but not making the finals was Anthony Wayne junior Kate Hildebrand, who placed 25th (5:19.07) in the 500 free and 33rd (1:59.2) in the 200 free.

First Published February 25, 2024, 1:47 a.m.

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Mia Buff of St. Ursula Academy begins her leg of the 200-yard medley relay during the Ohio High School Girls Division I swimming championships Saturday in Canton.  (SPECIAL TO THE BLADE/PHIL LONG)  Buy Image
Mia Harms of St. Ursula Academy smiles as she prepares for the 200-yard medley relay.  (SPECIAL TO THE BLADE/PHIL LONG)  Buy Image
Natalie Sanders of Perrysburg High School swims the consolation heat of the 200-yard freestyle at the Ohio High School Girls Division I Swimming Championships on Saturday in Canton.  (SPECIAL TO THE BLADE/PHIL LONG)  Buy Image
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE/PHIL LONG
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