Central freshman earns 2 all-state finishes at state swimming meet

ST. PETERS, Mo. -- Brogan Davis made the statement loud and clear. He has arrived.

The Central freshman showed no nerves on the state's biggest stage Saturday with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Boys Swimming and Diving Championships at the Rec-Plex.

"I'm pretty proud of myself right now," Davis said. "Second's pretty good. It's been great, and it's pretty fun with the team and the coaches."

Davis was a man of few words Saturday, but his coach had plenty of glowing things to say about her budding star.

"Just to see him excel at this level is thrilling," Central coach Dayna Powell said. "This is the 25th year I've done this and to see someone just with his attitude and abilities, it's just a coach's dream."

And to do it against the best the state has to offer and in front of a big crowd in the electric atmosphere of the Rec-Plex was something to behold.

"He's been to club meets and that's a great preparation for this, but I do think there's nothing like the state championship meet," Powell said. "No matter where you've been, it's just a little bit different and there's so much electricity and excitement in the air."

Davis had a time of 51.44 seconds in the 100 fly. Only Rockhurst's A.J. Iseman was faster at 50.91.

"I can close pretty good, so I knew I had to go out fast in the first 50, but I wasn't fast enough," Davis said. "But I brought it home pretty well."

Davis also finished fourth in the 100-backstroke with a time of 52.07.

His presence this season, along with fellow freshman Sam Hahs, has energized Powell and the Tigers.

"Brogan is just a joy to work with," Powell said. "He's got a great attitude. He's really a team player. He actually recruited a lot of our new swimmers who had never swam before and he told them how much fun swimming was. He's a great ambassador for the sport of swimming, as well as Cape Central."

Davis and Hahs combined with junior John Young and senior Christian Retter to finish eighth 200 medley relay to earn all-state honors. The top eight finishers in each race are given all-state distinction.

The other area swimmer to compete in Saturday's finals was Jackson senior Joey Janisse. He captured a pair of seventh-place finishes in the 100 backstroke (52.76) and the 200 individual medley (1:56.71).

"I felt very good today," Janisse said. "It was great being here this weekend -- first time since sophomore year. I took last year off to train with my year-round team, and I think it paid off mighty well."

Rockhurst won its 11th consecutive team title, but Central finished 14th out of 64 teams with 54 points and Jackson tied for 22nd with 30 points. The meet offered a chance for Southeast Missouri to show what it has, and it didn't disappoint.

"When you're swimming for your school and your classmates and your community, it's a different level," Powell said. "There's a lot of pride. Not only for the Cape Central people, but we have pride in what Jackson's doing here. Southeast Missouri has been well represented."

Davis agreed with his coach.

"It's great to represent," he said. "We're a pretty small town. Nobody else knows about us, so it's great that I was on the podium today."

And Janisse was also happy to be a part of it.

"Everyone's going remember this year -- a very fast year -- and I'm glad I got to swim this year at state," he said. "We had a lot of top speed in our region this year. I give all props to Brogan and Sam, swimming as fast as they are. I'm glad they're here, and I think we're all representing Southeast Missouri fantastically."

Team Standings -- 1. Rockhurst 270; 2. Park Hill 172; 3. Rock Bridge 144; 4. St. Louis University High 133; 5. Kickapoo 130; 6. Lindbergh 121; 7. Lee's Summit North 108; 8. John Burroughs 102; 9. Parkway Central 95; 10. (tie) Lafayette (Wildwood), Staley 78; 12. Park Hill South 71; 13. Chaminade College Preparatory 55; 14. Cape Central 54; 15. Webb City 53; 16. Blue Springs South 50; 17. Kirkwood 43; 18. St. John Vianney 40; 19. (tie) Kearney, Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS) 37; 21. Eureka 33; 22. (tie) Jackson, Marquette 30; 24. (tie) Central (Springfield), Hannibal 29

Local results

200 medley relay -- 8. Central (Brogan Davis, Sam Hahs, John Young, Christian Retter) 1:41.87; Jackson 1:44.56

400 freestyle relay -- 21. Central (Brogan Davis, Sam Hahs, John Young, Christian Retter) 3:27.32

200 individual medley -- 7. Joey Janisse (J) 1:56.71

50 freestyle -- 31. Austin Hobbs (J) 22.89

100 butterfly -- 2. Brogan Davis (C) 51.44

100 backstroke -- 4. Brogan Davis (C) 52.07

100 breaststroke -- 11. Austin Hobbs (J) 1:00.76; 23. Sam Hahs (C) 1:03.02

500 freestyle -- 26. Jack Gard (J) 5:06.71; 27. Sam Hahs (C) 5:07.26