Cape Central edged Notre Dame as lone senior enjoys spotlight

Noah Armstrong has seen plenty seniors get their moment of recognition during senior days throughout his time at Cape Central.

When it was his turn on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the SEMO Recreation Center, he had the moment all to himself.

“It’s kind of weird when you’re the only senior,” Armstrong said. “I mean, I love it, but it’s just me and my mom, my dad just standing in the spotlight. I’m not used to that.

“I like the spotlight though. It’s nice.”

Armstrong is going out on top, as the Tigers edged the Notre Dame Bulldogs 107-101 with the Saxony Lutheran trio bringing up the rear with 28 points.

Armstrong was part of the 200-yard medley relay that won after Notre Dame was disqualified due to a rule violation. Those points made all the difference.

“We’ve done great all season but we haven’t won a meet all season,” Armstrong said. “It means a lot to win our last official home meet.”

Armstrong also swam in the 200-yard freestyle relay and 100-yard breaststroke, which is his main event. He set new personal records in every event and said the results from this meet means more confidence going into the SEMO Conference meet at SEMO on Halloween.

“This win here should carry over to my performance at conference,” Armstrong said. “I hurt my back yesterday but I PR’d in every event, so hopefully that can transfer over with a healed back Tuesday and pull some bigger PRs.”

Even though the Tigers won the meet, only two events passed state consideration time. Junior Phineas Theall earned consideration in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.42) and his 400-yard freestyle relay (4:03.35). Armstrong is hoping to end his career with his first appearance at the state meet.

“We’re really pushing to get that last relay into state so we can bring as many as we can,” Armstrong said. “I just hope we get there because I’ve never been to state. It’d be good to find out what it’s like.”

Saxony Lutheran senior Mason Landewee won the 50-yard freestyle (24.19) and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle (1:08.98), earning state consideration for both events. Junior Tom Hasz earned state consideration in the 100-yard butterfly (57.79).

Notre Dame freshman Hudson Dennis won the 100-yard butterfly (55.75), 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.55) and was the anchor of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay (1:46.21), earning state consideration times for each event.

Fellow Notre Dame freshman Kaiden Cracraft won the 100-yard freestyle (52.34), the 100-yard backstroke (56.48) and anchored the winning 400-yard freestyle relay (3:53.78) earning state consideration for each event. Ben Pursell started that relay and won the 200-yard freestyle.

Cape Central sophomore Kent Sheridan (2:30.82) edged Notre Dame’s Weston Edwards (2:35.75) in the 200-yard IM.

Notre Dame, Cape Central, Saxony Lutheran and Jackson will compete in the SEMO Conference meet at SEMO on Tuesday, October 31.