CHS SWIMMERS PLACE NINTH IN SPRINGFIELD

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Cape Central placed ninth out of 13 teams at the Springfield Invitational swim meet Saturday, but Tiger coach Dayna Powell was ecstatic with her team's performance.

After a slow start due to problems with the practice facilities early in the season, Cape Central took big strides on Saturday. Central compiled 56 points, well behind the 266 winning total of Rockhurst.

"The points don't reflect it, but individually we had a great swim," said Powell. "All but two people dropped at least six seconds. One of our seniors dropped 25 seconds in the 500 (freestyle). We've been waiting for this."

The Tigers have also been waiting for their first state qualifier and saw him arrive in the person of Jon Lowrance. The Tiger junior dropped two full seconds in the 100 breaststroke to qualify for state with a time of 1:06.04. He placed fourth in the meet, Central's top finish.

Central's medley relay, comprised of Andrew Moreton, Lowrance, Casey Dwyre and Gabe Austin, placed sixth in 1:54.95.

Lowrance added a sixth-place finish in the 200 IM, clocking 2:22.15.

The Tigers also saw their 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams place 10th. The team of Dwyre, Warren Williams, Dustin Nelson and Tony Kiel posted a time of 1:52.21 in the 200. Williams, Austin, Lowrance and Moreton clocked 3:58.41 in the 400.

Andy Yoffie also took 10th in diving with a 244.80 total.

Central returns to action Tuesday at Parkway Central.