MORGANTOWN — Under the leadership of coach Nicolle Davis, five boys and four girls will represent University High in the WVSSAC state swimming meet today and Friday.
“I am very proud of my team and what they accomplished this season,” Davis said. “It was a rough one, as we did not have an assistant coach. However, my team was able to rise to the challenge and come to practice every day and work hard.”
Even away from the pool, they worked hard in the classroom, Davis said.
“They were able to keep up with their grades and schooling,” she said. “Most of the team are in National Honor Society, so that is something as a coach I am super happy with.”
Davis is a world history teacher at rival Morgantown High.
Her boys team is led by three seniors who are part of the state-qualifying 200 freestyle relay — Frankie McCutchan, Zach Ribas and Evan Large. Freshman Owen Cosner also is a part of the relay.
The seniors and junior Will Troischt are on the 200 medley relay. McCutchan also qualified in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Ribas also qualified in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. Large also qualified in the 100 butterfly.
For the girls, junior Becca Chmiel, sophomore Haley Kramer, sophomore Emily Stanton and sophomore Maddie McCoy qualified for the state meet in the 400 freestyle relay. Freshman Isabella Ratnour is the alternate on the relay team.
Chmiel also qualified in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, Kramer also qualified in the 100 breaststroke, and Stanton also qualified in the 100 breaststroke.
“Each one of the swimmers were able to bring something amazing to the table,” Davis said. “Zach helped to teach strokes to new swimmers and Becca always led the team in workouts and made sure everyone was doing their workouts.”
This year’s state meet, held at the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park, is back to normal for the first time in several years. Last year, the typical two-day tournament was cut down to just one day of competition. It was also held in April, two months later than usual.
“I am very excited to see what this team will do at states,” Davis said. “I am hopeful that they will make it past the prelim stage and go to the finals on day two.”
By MATTHEW PEASLEE
TWEET @dompostsports
