When the RBHS swimming and diving team gathered on MU campus at 8:30 as the hosts of the Como Invitational this morning Saturday, Sept. 29, they entered the Aquatic Center ready to show the other teams what Columbia was all about.
“Some guys were a little nervous, but that can be found at any meet,” sophomore Michael Rhodenbaugh said. “I think the fact that we hosted this meet wasn’t pressuring, but inspirational and motivating.”
The Aquatic Center is considered the team’s “special pool” because of their stellar past performances and the boys wanted to make sure this year was no different, Rhodenbaugh said.
Preliminary rounds started at 10:15 a.m. and ended around 2 p.m. For four hours, Rock Bridge went up against more than 10 schools around the state, including both Parkway South and North, Blue Springs South and North and cross town rival Hickman high school.
From there, the top 24 times in each event advanced onto finals, which began at 5 p.m. The Bruins took part in 12 preliminary events, and the boys moved on in 11 of the 12.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Rhodenbaugh said. “We had lots and lots of people make it back for finals and those that didn’t all made best times.”
In the finals, the RBHS boys swam with vigor, bringing home great times. All relays team did well, with freshman Alex Tschopp swimming an incredible time of 22.19 in his relay split. Hickman freshman John Ragsdell placed second in the 100 breast stroke; Tschopp placed third in the 100 fly and 200 free. Junior Keegan Nichols came out of nowhere and swam so well in his 50 free, he went back for finals and replaced someone in the 200 free relay.
The turnout for today’s invitational was a success by the team’s standards, Rhodenbaugh said, and will push them further down the road to what will hopefully be the perfect end to the season. While the boys are only halfway through their season, they already have the ultimate goal on their minds.
“I can’t speak for everyone, but I know some of us, mainly our relays, we’re shooting for state,” Rhodenbaugh said. “Each meet will tell us how close we are getting and how well we are doing. Each meet gives us a new goal or reinforces an old one.”
By Daphne Yu
Did you catch the Bruins this weekend? Or are you a swimming and diving fan because of the Olympics? Either way, we want to know what your favorite event is.
